Press Statement
by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Friday): DAP is puzzled at MCA’s Vice-President Datuk Lim Siang Chai’s statement that MCA would meet later this month to discuss Dong Ziao Zong’s opposition to the 2-4-3 formula. How can MCA still not have any position on the 2-4-3 formula when the government has implemented the teaching of Science and Maths in English in all primary schools for the past 3 years?

Lim Siang Chai’s statement is not only irresponsible towards the aspirations expressed by the Chinese community but also dishonest in trying to avoid being part of the decision by the government to implement the 2-4-3 formula. Since the 2-4-3 formula has commenced, the number of periods taught in Mandarin has been reduced for Standard 1 to Standard 3 pupils.

On this basis, Dong Ziao Zong has raised valid concerns that the teaching of subjects in Mandarin will be affected when these students enter Standard 4 next year where the teaching of Science and Maths is intensified. As there can only be a maximum of 50 periods per week, Dong Ziao Zong is concerned that subjects in Mandarin will be sacrificed or have to make way for the Science and Maths subjects taught in English.

Last year, against the wishes of Dong Ziao Zong, MCA supported the allocation of two extra periods of 60 minutes in Standard Three to teaching Bahasa Malaysia and not Chinese.  DAP supports Ziao Zong in opposing the 2-4-3 formula implemented in 2003 because it had resulted in the reduction of teaching 6 periods in subjects using Mandarin for Standard One, Two and Three per week. The 4 subjects using Mandarin that were reduced by 6 periods are 3 periods in Chinese and one period each in Maths, Moral Education and Physical Education. The reduction of 6 periods would undoubtedly diminish the character and identity of Chinese schools.

Under the 2-4-3 formula, every week Chinese is now taught for 360 minutes or 12 periods instead of the previous 450 minutes or 15 periods. Under the new Ministry regulations, there were two extra periods and by right should be used to teach Chinese to replace the three periods in Chinese lost under the 2-4-3 formula. By allocating the two extra periods to teach Bahasa Malaysia, thereby increasing from 7 periods (210 minutes) to 9 periods(270 minutes) every week, DAP agrees with Ziao Zong that this has further affected the character and identity of Chinese schools.

When there are extra two periods, why then are the 2 extra periods not used to teach Chinese to at least try to make up for the three periods lost in 2003. In absolute terms subjects taught in Mandarin have been reduced by 6 periods from four subjects in Chinese, Maths, Moral Education and Physical Education since. That reduction of 6 periods taught in Mandarin in 2003 has not been replaced.

For 2005, Chinese remained with 12 periods but when the two extra periods are not used to teach Chinese but Bahasa Malaysia, there is a definite reduction in relative terms even for 2005. It would be distressing if our Deputy Education Minister does not understand the difference between reduction in absolute and relative terms.

By allocating the two extra periods to teach Bahasa Malaysia and not Chinese, is undemocratic, unfair and unacceptable as no consultation was made either by MCA or the Education Ministry with Ziao Zong.  As the periods for teaching Bahasa Malaysia has always been at 7 periods and not reduced, this would not affect the standing of Bahasa Malaysia as our official language. Further, Chinese primary school students spend more time taking tuition in Bahasa Malaysia compared to Chinese.

The Chinese community may be unhappy at the Education Ministry but the biggest responsibility lies with MCA. Under BN’s consultative mechanism, such unfair directives would not have been approved without MCA’s approval. Clearly MCA must approve first before the Education Ministry can make directives that affect Chinese primary schools. If MCA has the courage to support such unfair and discriminatory directives by the Education Ministry inside then they should have the courage to face the Chinese community and explain their support.