KUCHING: Bringing in Saudi teachers who specialise in English, Mathematics and Science to teach in Malaysia should not become an issue.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Faculty of Language and Communication lecturer Keezrawati Mujan Yusuf, said what is important is improving student’s proficiency level in English, Maths and Science subjects.
Instead of bashing Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik over the issue, Mujan said importing teachers from foreign countries including Saudi Arab for the purpose of teaching English was nothing new.
Teachers who were native speakers of English were posted to Malaysia in the mid-1960s till 1990s.
“This will benefit the teachers in terms of gaining experience through exchange programmes.
“And they will learn to adjust the approach to captivate students’ attention and interest,” she told New Sarawak Tribune when asked to comment on the recent announcement by Dr Maszlee to import Saudi teachers to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
Mujan opined that the initiative was sensationalised due to negative perceptions towards Arab teachers.
“I think it becomes an issue because those teachers are from Arabia. If they are from the US, I don’t think that it would be an issue at all.
“But I have heard comments from Malaysian teachers that those ‘teacher aides’ from US and UK that are sent to our schools are untrained teachers and they were here just for a working holiday.
“So, I reiterate my previous point; if the teachers are excellent in their home country, then why not?
“In fact, we already have a handful of Arabs in our universities anyway,” she argued.
Mujan however argued that the teachers from Saudi Arabia must be well-trained and excel in teaching at their home country before they are imported here.
“If they are going to send newbies teachers to our schools, I think that will not be of much benefit,” she commented.
“As for the local teachers, having foreign teachers allow more opportunities to learn new teaching techniques.
“But it is important that the teachers themselves are eager for professional development.”
Meanwhile, Chuah Kee Man who also a lecturer at the Faculty of Language and Communication in Unimas said there was nothing much to comment on since the details of the transfer programme has yet to be discussed.
“I am not quite sure of the details yet. Seems like a short-term ‘exchange’ programme for the Saudi teachers to learn from Malaysian teachers and vice versa,” he commented.
On Nov 6, Maszlee announced in his Facebook page that he had met with Saudi Education Minister, Dr Hamad Mohammed Al Shaikh to exchange views on the education system in both countries.
According to him, Saudi Arabia is organising a transfer programme for Saudi teachers to Malaysia in which teachers who specialise in English, Mathematics and Science would be trained in Malaysia to prepare their education system to face the 21st-century education.
He also said the Saudi teachers could learn Malaysia’s culture during their time here and contribute in the education process of the local students.
