KUCHING: There should be no compromise on quality in the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English in primary schools next year.
This is the view of Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who felt that the ‘gasak ajak’ approach to use local English as suggested by Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin recently would reflect badly on the education system.
“Firstly we must understand what Queen’s English means. The term simply means good grammatical English, straightforward standard British English, both written and in spoken form.
“It can be spoken in a variety of accent and not necessarily spoken in what has been called ‘received pronunciation’ Oxford English or BBC English. It is useful, practical and not exclusive or elitist.
“English language is a subtle yet powerful language, capable of delicate nuances of meaning, as well as expressing ideas simply and directly,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Wan Junaidi noted that users of Queen’s English have the advantages of accuracy and clarity, aiding the English language power of conveying facts, ideas, and emotion to others and being unambiguous, correct and persuasive.
“Therefore, it becomes imperative to learn the Queen’s English or good grammatical English.
“Of course there are variants in English language spoken or written all over the world, like the US, Australian, Hong Kong and Indian English and many more.
“But the basic is still the same; good grammatical English,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said that to achieve a high standard of English, Sarawak must have good English teachers.
“There are several options open to the government to recruit good English teachers; capable retired teachers, to give intensive training to the existing pool of teachers who have the background and inclination to speak and teach English.
“And if we want students to pronounce words and speak with an English accent, then we have to recruit teachers from England,” he said.
