Public can still give views
PETALING JAYA: The public can still have their views heard over the reversion of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English.
“The decision has been made, but the people can still speak up and are entitled to express their views,” said Education Ministry deputy director-general (General Education Operations) Datuk Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim yesterday.
Noor Rezan said the decision was made after five round-table meetings and many discussions, but there would be a period of minor changes and adjustments.
“Anything can happen from now till 2012. The Education Minister has stipulated the decision is final, but in the context of saying that, you have to take into consideration the fine-tuning,” she said.
Parents, she said, could call the ministry’s hotline at 03-7723 7070 should they have any strong views or suggestions.
CALL NOW: +603-7723 7070
33 comments:
I think it make more sense to give your feedback in the Ministry of Education web
http://www.moe.gov.my/index.php?act=feedback
I hope the Government will reconsider their decision. Those rural folks must improve themselves and not use the excuse that English is hard and it will cause them to fail the Maths and Science subjects. Even our ex prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir also support the teaching of the subjects in English.
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Peter
http://www.Klang-Valley.com
I believe the English speaking population of Malaysia has increased tremendously over the years (10~15% or more) and this group cannot continue to let its views to be ignored or pushed about as if there is no representation. The other two language groups (Chinese & Tamil)always have their way but the English speaking have little or no voice in Parliment. Now is the for action, for the sake of our children's future. Speak up !
Name: Thomas Lim Pee Wei
Form: 1
School: P.J. SMK Damansara
The Minister of Edu said it is not politic but objective.So, what is his objective for abolishing PPSMI.He should be transparent about his objective and tell all of us, whether we agree or not his objective.
Most schools prefer PPSMI, i think only very few schools mostly in the rural areas do not prefer PPSMI, so to be fair, the Government should allow those school who prefer PPSMI to remain and only affect those schools who do not prefer.Like that everyone is happy.The Government cannot turn all of us to wear songkok and sunat and sembahyang 5 times,ok?
Last time, Maths & Sci in Bahasa for so many years, how come Malaysia is so much backward than other countries.Now they want to go backwards, so how to progress? Now Mahathir realised his mistake to switch from English to Bahasa, so he switch back but now new Minister did the same as Mahathir last time.What the heck is this? They got no better thingy to do. eh?? Mampus punya kerajaan.Kalau belajar dalam Bahasa, lebih baik tak payah belajar, duduk rumah belajar Inggeris dari internet.Buat apa belajar Maths & Sci dalam Bahasa? Dapat apa kerja? Bolih pakai ke di luar negara? Kerajaan jadikan kita semua jadi "katak di bawah tempurung". Their objective is ask us to "Get out of this country, you don't belong sini" "You orang putih"
I have called them and gave them my views today that English needs to be used for the teaching of Mathematics and Science. I told her that PPSMI needs to be maintained at the very least in Secondary school from From 1 onwards. Otherwise, they will need to allow parents to hav the opton of an English medium vernacular school. Most ideal is of course, PPSMI is from Primary school onwards and all through secondary, as I think it only makes sense for children to have to learn these 2 most improtant subjects efficiently and not have to switch to different languages in the different stages of education.
If the teachers are the problem, then they should fix that. They can't scrap a good policy just because they have a wekaness in implementation. Fix it or provide an option for the English challenged ones (rural folks)to catch up, but not to slow down fast students.
How can you ask the rabbit to slow down so that the tortoise can catch up?
Anyway, I encourage everyone to call the hotline and give your feedbacks. And, make sure to ask them to repeat what you said because when I asked the girl to repeat what I said, she only caught the last sentence. So, I had to bulletize my points to her.
The rural folks have their choice,
Dong Zhiao Zong has their choice,
The Urban folks should have their choice too... at least let the schools decide which language to use in the teaching of BM and Mathematics. From there we shall see which schools have the most students.
Just like to say a big THANK YOU to the people behind PAGE. Our children's education to important to us all but PAGE have the initiative and courage to put words into action. Needless to say, I support Maths and Science be taught in English in both primary and secondary. This is simply for the reason that widely published reference materail in Science and Maths are in English. Translation is possible but lagging to what is the latest and most advanced. I am also concerned for the rural schools and their inability to initially cope with English. Hence choices for all is a good compromise for primary school.
Please...if the Ministry wants to convert teaching Science and Maths to BM, please start from the new batch of Std 1 students next year (or the following year). This will enable students and parents to adjust to the transition smoothly. Don't make any abrupt change to the existing system. Don't make any changes half-way (i.e. Std 4, Form 1 and Form 4). Let the existing batch of Std 1 students who have started Science and Maths in English to continue in English till university. Don't the government and the policy makers see the problems of changing the system half-way ? Thank you.
So dissappointed when the government made such a stupid decison. How can the young generation of Malaysia can survive in globalisation if they dun master english well. Can they put the politic aside and just solely concern the future of young generation when doing the decision??? So shame...
I support Maths and Science be taught in English in both primary and secondary.
I strongly feel that Maths and Science should be taught in English. I am a lecturer in one of the colleges in Malaysia. I could see a big difference in the competency of the English language between students who went through the English medium and also the BM medium back in school. Now at tertiary level, students who went through the English medium could converse well and have no problem in academic reading and writing. But those studnets who went through the BM medium are facing a lot of problem as they are not competent speakers of the English language. Their written skills are also poor. I believe in the long run, students will be able to speak good English and Malaysia will be recognised in terms of language. BM would not be affected as other subjects are being taught in BM. The number of subjects being taught in BM outnumbers subjects being taught in English. So how it is poosible that students will forget the national language. Think about it!!!!!!Reverting back and forth will only cause mind-boggling not only for students but teachers as well. Teachers can definitely improve their English if the government put in effort to send them for training. That is not a reason for the language switch to take place. Please look into this matter and choose the best medium. I want Malaysia to be recognised not only for F1 TRACK but good competency in English by our nation.
the government has not explained in all honesty the real intent of switching the use of english to bahasa malaysia, and rather lack the political will to uphold what is important and tough to do.
the switch of english to malay and mother tongue languages in chinese and indian is done to please everyone but ultimately the one who loses out will be the students themselves whether they are malay, chinese, indians or others.
the decision is a step backwards and all sacrifices up till now will not bear fruit.
the best thing to do now is to raise the issue in Parliament for national debate. the people has a right to force a reversal of policy. the best course of action is all pibg or parents teacher association to meet their YBs (MPs) to submit a memorandum in requesting English to be re-instated.
The hyprocrisy of the PM, cabinet ministers can be seen when they themselves sent their own children to international schools for an English education. Why should we allow this this happen?
the PM and Education Minsiter are in cohorts to make another round of big money in printing new text books, paying linguists for new translations and also please the rural Malays. Remember National Service? They made millions in starting it and in all good intentions - it is a ringgit project to enrich themselves while in power. There is no long term objective and sacrifices made to ensure the system of education in Malaysia produces strong graduates. It is similar to Malaysian football scenario, lots of millions spent but we still are world losers even compared to South Korea who started behind us and now is an Olympic qualifier.
If I have had a choice, I shot the Education Minister myself.
I'm so glad this action group has been set up. I have been contemplating a signature campaign in Melaka.
My daughter is upset too on hearing the news that she will have to learn Maths & Science in BM in 2012. She was in year 1 when PPSMI was introduced in 2003.
Daughter, aged 12+
School: SMK Tinggi St David,
Melaka
this group should gather those who are supportive of PPSMI and send a memorandum to the ministry. may be start getting the signatures of all the parents who supports PPSMI at every schools.
I will be the first to sign if they are to do so!
Seriously, pls send a memorandum to make the ministry aware of our concern!!
From the general sentiment of the Malaysian public after the government have reversed their decision, we're all in support of using English.
If they are sincere in serving the people they should make way for some flexibility in leaving it to the schools and parents to decide whether they want to use Eng/BM to teach the 2 subjects. This would create a win-win situation for all and we will respect them for that and will garner more votes from the rakyat in the next election. Otherwise they will lose even more seats next time round.
Everyone, please call the numbers. At least they cannot ignore the official feedback. Anything else may be considered UNOFFICIAL and then they will give the reason that very few people object to the recent decision.
Remember to ask the person to repeat what you said. Make it simple - in point form.
Oh my God...we are seeing the advanceds being ask to " Gos-tan" n the laggards told to " Gos-Tan..lagi Gos-tan "... So sad to say it's like " balik kampung " ... the life there is less stressful, less hectic... and the politicians don't visit them always... unless someone's atap pondok got no electricity, water,got no bed mattresses...etc etc... then only they come & tunjuk2 they care...
I have no big arguments with the kampung folks...but is abolishing PPSMI really gonna help the rurals students ? The Ed Min should find ways to help the rurals in catching up with the urbans instead of getting the urbans to put on the emergency brake & let them " gos-tan" together " beramai-ramai"
Somewhere out there's a certain Tok haji maybe asking " cucu kite tak dapat belajar ingeris lagi ...kenape ? " or a Kak Edah asking ".... why .. macam mana nak kita nanti nak belajar jadi Sain-tis kelak ? "...
Please listen to all of us here... retain the PPSMI for the future of our children ... don't turn our children into Malaysia Tak Bolih generations.
I support PPSMI at least for secondary if not for both- I am angry and very upset on govts decision to revert-perhaps PAGE can join with the 100 parents who wanted to meet TMY (see star on tues 14th July 2009)on this matter. I realize it wont be civilise on our part but how about a peaceful quiet demonstration to meet TMY and give him a memo just like those NGOs and Gapena did?!
Hey gov't of the day, your decision to abolish ETeMS is a blunder of all time!!!! More than that, you hijack the future of our beloved country.
I called up to give my objection to abolishing PPSMI. I just wonder whether the girl taking the call will convey my view. Or it is a public relation exercise only. I asked whether this is being compiled, she say yes but maybe she will only tick agree/disagree in her notepaper and forget about our opinions.
Government’s decision to reverse the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy (PPSMI) stands.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/16/nation/20090716115031&sec=nation
so what's the point in asking public for feedback???
Then, during the next GE, we will choose the lesser of two evils.
so you want maths/sain in inglis & more inglis periods & literature by spearshake ...oops...shakespearr !
tell me : who is going to teach !?
the malay teachers (90% of them )laa!
hahaha...my toes are laughing =
5-2=3 ...five push two is tree !!
hahahahahaha...SIGH !!
the decision for 2012 system is
muktabak ...oops...maaf ...muktamad !
I prefer to teach in English.
I think all of them want to change back to BM/Mandarin/Tamil is because they want their children to get higher marks only. What bout when they graduate to work in the company, all the documents are in English.
The parents just want the higher mark or not a better future for their children.
Totally agree with previous comment that the MOE hotline on our feedback is a pathetic PR exercise. I am so sure the telephonist at the other end did not understand the issue as he let me ramble on about my frustration with the policy change. The minister says again that the decision to revert stands and there cannot be a flip-flop within the policy. hello......who flipped first?? We were on the right track for 6 years and the Cabinet in their supposed concern for rural folks and the national language pulled the rug from under our feet! Shame on them!
It all started with the stupid Anti-PPSMI protest..
I feel ashamed as an Univ student as some from Univ (so called educated) students joined in the protest..
What is wrong with this country? Shifting from Gear 1 to Gear 2, Gear 3 to Gear 4 slowly but steadilly.. And all of a sudden, shifting to Gear R (Reverse) when they are about to hit Gear 5.. To make things worse, they are doing it on a busy "highway" with lots of other cars "moving forward".
BANG!! Disaster!! I can smell it already...
Called the number today and the impression I get is that they just want a Yes/No answer from us.
All other discussions are not recorded. That's the impression I get.
I see that a lot of people here seem to have ignored the fact that in reversing the eTeMS policy, the MOE is also going to enhance the teaching of English language. eTeMS was a half-baked policy hastily implemented, it is right that it is reversed before further damage is done to our pupils. Yes, part of the decision is still debatable, at secondary school level there should be more consultation with all stake holders before the wholesale reversal was decided. However for primary school level, for the good of most pupils it is right that it be reversed to vernacular languages which most pupils have better command of (even for a large portion urban area primary pupils this I believe is true). You can't expect a students who barely understand English to learn maths and science well in that language while it does not help him or her also in learning English. Enhancing the teaching of English language through better English language curriculum, more class time and better trained teachers is the way to improve the standard of English of our students. It is agreed that English is a language that we need to master, that makes it all the more imperative that the language be taught well in school, not eTeMS which in effect compromise the teaching of maths and science for most of the students. Everyone of us are entitled to our right to express our views which best serve our interests, and most of us here are vocal in articulating the objection to the reversal of eTeMS, but I hold the opinion that the views here does not reflect the views of the majority, there is a silent majority who cannot make their voice heard like we do here because of their command of English and their children are the ones suffered most under the eTeMS policy. So i say leave teaching of English language to English language class and lets not get confused it with learning maths and science.
Dear Puchong_Mali,
I get your point about gov't's two-prong strategy in enhancing the mastery of both languages but that's not the issue. The issue is teaching Maths and Science in a medium where students will not be handicapped when they enter their tertiary education when there is the highest probability that the subjects would be in English. (Forget about the inherent benefit that students would acquire to access the knowledge from worldwide resources!) Alright, so the gov't is adamant about the policy change because it would benefit students who can't cope with Sci and Maths in English. Gauging from the urban public's response, isn't it fair to also conclude that there is an equally strong case to maintain PPSMI? Can't the gov't please both parties and allow us the choice?
I strongly feel that Maths and Science should be taught in English.
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