Poor results prove language switch's failure
Malaysiakini
Nov 8, 2006
Beh Lih Yi

The poor academic results of primary school students after the introduction of teaching Maths and Science in English three years ago is the best argument why the system should be reverted.

A survey carried out by the Education Ministry after the language switch showed that about half of the students failed Maths last year.

“In the survey, Year Three students who scored 40 (which is the passing mark) and above for the Science subject was 80.3 percent for 2005.

“Whereas for Maths, 53.1 percent scored above 40,” said the ministry in a parliamentary written reply dated Sept 21 to Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh).

In a press conference held at the Parliament building today, Kok said the results clearly showed that the language switch had failed.

“Educationists have argued that to impart knowledge to children, it is best to use their mother tongues. We can’t use a foreign language, English, to teach them subjects like Science or Maths.

“Teachers are also confused because they don’t know if they are teaching English or Maths,” added the parliamentarian, who distributed copies of the ministry’s reply to reporters.

BM losing its edge

Kok voiced support for Johor Umno’s call in asking the government to scrap the teaching of Science and Maths in English, a controversial policy pushed through in 2003 despite objections from educationists.

On Sunday, Johor Umno liaison chief Abdul Ghani Othman said the approach has widened the divide between urban and rural schools and affected the learning ability of Malay students.

He also said the Malay language was in danger of losing its edge as the language of knowledge in schools because of priority being given to English.

Teaching Science and Maths in English was the brainchild of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to improve students proficiency in the language.

The policy was implemented in all national schools but an alternative formula was reached for the vernacular Chinese schools as a compromise after strong protests from the community.