The late chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem in criticising the flip flop policy under the past government at the time: “Dolok dah bagus-bagus English, gago tukar balit ke Bahasa (Malaysia).”
KUCHING: The coming implementation of English for the teaching of Science and Mathematics will put Sarawak as the first state to take the lead in using English as medium of instruction in the teaching of the two subjects, however, are schools in rural areas ready for it?
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the preparedness of schools in his constituency (Asajaya) is not an issue.
“My worry is whether the Education Department has sufficient qualified teachers to teach the two subjects in English. Language is not something that one can master in a short period of time. If teachers are not that good, what do one expect of their students?” he said when contacted yesterday.
Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing also stands in the same opinion and expressed his worry for the students.
“The implementation of English language in the teaching of Mathematics and Science is a good thing but probably not in primary school levels. In primary school level, maybe we can just concentrate in the English language only rather than including the two subjects.
“Maybe we can improve the textbook and teaching techniques for English language first while leaving the implementation of English in Mathematics and Science in secondary schools,” he stated.
Datuk Ding further stated that in general, he thinks the implementation at the primary school level is not really suitable especially in rural areas.
Personally, he encouraged comprehensive study on the matter because of unavailability of prepared teachers and syllabus at the moment. To him, next year will be too early and too fast for the subjects involved in the implementation to catch up.
On the other hand, Youth and Sports assistant minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan had a different opinion on the matter where he recalled that this is not the first time the implementation of English in the teaching of Mathematics and Science is taking place.
According to him, the use of English in both subjects was once implemented even in Primary 1 but the government had reverted it back to Bahasa Malaysia. All this took place about a decade ago.
“Last time, the use of English language was even implemented in rural areas and it had improved the English proficiency of the community especially in the rural areas. Even I was amazed with their improvement in English,” he said.
Snowdan, who is also the assemblyman for Balai Ringin, explained that the move wouldn’t be much of a problem because Sarawak is not alien to the English language especially when Sarawak has long been a tourists’ attraction. It is a fact that the foreign tourists would often visit the longhouses or rural areas which leads the community to at least learn basic English to communicate and welcome the foreign tourists.
He quoted the late chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem in criticising the flip flop policy under the past government at the time, “Dolok dah bagus-bagus English, gago tukar balit ke Bahasa (Malaysia)” which literally translated as “The English usage was sailing smooth, but you went and change it back to Bahasa Malaysia.”
He also noted that the preparation of the teachers are important as a starting point and that the 6-month preparation prior to its implementation effective Jan 1 next year would be just right, not too short and not too long. For example, he said that the students who go to English tuition centre could learn English in three months’ time.
Meanwhile, Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment assistant minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh was on the same page with Snowdan. On his constituency (Kuala Rajang), Datuk Len is confident that the people will be prepared for the implementation move.
“I myself was from a rural school before and I was taught in English on the first day. So, it is not impossible for the students in the rural areas to be taught in English for the two subjects as well,” he stated.
“As long as we are committed and serious in implementing this and there is no interference from the federal government. As everyone is aware, any change in the federal education ministry will lead to change in the direction of education and we don’t want that. We have to be consistent,” he continued.
When asked whether it is too early for the implementation to start from Primary Schools, Datuk Len stated that it is not a big deal especially with the level of intelligence of the present population and the availability of the Internet, the television and other sources to assist in the learning.
At the same time, Sarawak Teachers Union (STU)’s president Macky Joseph said that some of the schools have Dual Language Programme (DLP) where it needs parents’ consent for their children to undergo such implementation. To him, if the parents agree, then it won’t be a problem.
On the students, Macky said that the implementation of teaching Science and Mathematics in English language starting from Primary 1 would not be a big deal since the use of the language is only for medium of instruction. Moreover, students will be better exposed with the language.
“For the teachers, the ministry department will provide training programmes in this 6-month preparation so they can improve on building up their skills and confidence, followed by the education department in efforts to speed up with the training process to upskill the teachers,” he said.
Education, Science and Technology Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin last Saturday said Sarawak would start implementing the use of English for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in effective next year. He said it would be implemented at the primary school level first before moving onto the secondary school.
The decision to implement the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English for primary schools in the state was initiated after being asked by the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik on April 24 during the latter’s courtesy call on Abang Johari.
