KUCHING: If all goes well, Sarawak will start using English as the medium of instruction in the teaching of Mathematics and Science on Jan 1 next year.
This was revealed by Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong after the launching of the state-level Gerakan Massa’s “Terima Kasih Cikgu” programme held in conjunction with the Teacher’s Day celebration at Mydin Petra Jaya supermarket yesterday.
“It depends on our preparedness in terms of the teachers and budget,” he added.
Manyin said, “Sarawak will take the lead in using English as the medium of instruction in the teaching of Mathematics and Science in line with the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s wish to promote English.”
He explained that the decision to implement the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English for primary schools in the state was initiated after Sarawak was asked to do so by the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik on April 24 this year during the latter’s courtesy call on Abang Johari.
Said Manyin, “The biggest challenge in this move is to consider when and where we should start the implementation. Is it from Primary 1, Primary 2 or Form 1?
“The Education Department also has to identify the number of teachers available who are capable of teaching the two subjects in English.
“Next, we have to identify the materials required in this implementation.”
Manyin added that all these questions were also interrelated with the budget allocation to train the teachers.
He urged all parents and teachers to support the move and treat this as an honour as well.
“We cannot afford to fail as we are the first state and role model in influencing the decision of other states to follow our steps.
“I believe that we can do this as long as the Mathematics and Science teachers are well trained to enhance their English proficiency in teaching. We are not teaching them grammar but rather teaching them the techniques and boosting their confidence to teach in English,” he said.
