We call on the Malaysian Government to table a report in Parliament on the
teaching of English in primary, secondary and tertiary education including
Mathematics and Science
Press Statement
by Dr Tan Seng Giaw
(Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday):
In the last
three years, the Government has introduced the teaching of Maths and
Science in English in all streams of primary schools, including the
2-4-3 formula for Chinese and Tamil schools. The public are watching.
The Government insists that everything is running smoothly. But, this
matter is complicated. How many of the over three million pupils can
adapt to the new policy? The Malay society have yet to show confidence
in it. The Chinese suspect the effectiveness of formula 2-4-3.
We
hope that the Government presents a detailed report on the matter in
the Third Meeting, Second Session of the 11th Parliament, starting on
19 September, 2005. Having mastered their mother-tongue, Malaysians
would like to know the standard of English at all levels of education.
The
public are worried about the number of competent English teachers and
lecturers. When Maths and Science were taught in Mandarin, there were
more than 90% passes among pupils in Chinese schools. How do they
perform under the
new
formula?
By
the time they enroll at universities, students must be proficient in
Bahasa Malaysia (BM). The 18 public universities in the country should
use more English including in Maths and Science. Some still use BM.
For the past three years, students in Sixth Form study Maths and
Science in English. Entering universities some find that the two
subjects are still in BM; they are perplexed. What is the state of
English in our universities? Is it consistent with the policy?
(6/09/2005)
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Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National
Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong
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