History repeats itself..

Quoted from Challenging Times
(Pelanduk Publications 2007)

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN wrote in 1984:

"I realised there were rumblings in the party for a change in leadership in my time. The issue was over the use of the Malay language to replace English at the government, parliamentary and university levels.

My objection was whether it was prudent to replace English in high places of learning such as universities where we must continue to employ English as the main medium of instruction.

The Malay language had not had a good start and not been given time to develop as yet, and no books were available in Malay on science and technology and other spheres of high education.

The Malay language was not advanced enough to take over from English to provide the right type of education for the progressive people.

The main aim in entering the university was to get the best education possible. Half education is no education at all. This young newly-born nation of ours depends so much on good leadership and this can only come with good education.

Some of the students who did not have basic English education were opposed to the education policy which I advocated.

The University of Malaya, the Mara College and the Malay Language Institute held hostile demonstrations against me.

The Ministers who wanted to ride on the wave of popularity and see the last of me also joined them secretly. But I stood my ground because I felt Malaya must be served by well-educated and dedicated leaders or else the future would be bleak."

It looks like history has repeated itself, that times haven't changed and many years on, we have instead regressed. Tunku would have been saddened by this decision to revert.

FOR OUR CHILDREN

PAGE seeks clarification on EGM status

On 8 September 2009, PAGE handed a request to Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Education, when he visited SK Bukit Damansara, for clarification on contradictory remarks made in the media about the convening of EGMs by PTAs to discuss PPSMI, by the DPM and Ministry of Education officials.

An extract: "Memandangkan kemusykilan yang dihadapi oleh pihak PIBG, dan lanjutan kepada kenyataan awam yang dibuat oleh YAB Timbalan Perdana Menteri pada 10 Ogos 2009 yang lalu, PAGE ingin memohon kepada YAB Timbalan Perdana Menteri mengarah KPM/Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri untuk –

(1) membenarkan ibu bapa dan guru-guru menggunakan PIBG mereka masing-masing sebagai landasan untuk bertukar-tukar fikiran dan maklumat mengenai pelajaran, khususnya Opsyen SMI, selaras dengan peruntukan di bawah perenggan 5(1)(c) Peraturan Pendidikan (Persatuan Ibu Bapa-Guru) 1998; dan

(2) menasihat semua pentadbir sekolah supaya mengakui dan menerima hak PIBG di bawah Perlembagaan PIBG mereka masing-masing untuk mengadakan EGM di dalam premis sekolah bagi membolehkan mereka membincang dan mendapat pandangan majoriti ibu bapa atas Opsyen SMI, sejajar dengan kenyataan daripada YAB Perdana Menteri pada 13 Julai 2009."

Earlier, the Prime Minister had stated that consideration may be given to schools that want to retain PPSMI.

FOR OUR CHILDREN

Whilst PAGE strategises..

PAGE appears to have quietened down although we have not. We are studying several avenues including:

1 Finalising our memorandum as requested by the Ministry of Education;
2 Reviewing laws pertaining to PTAs; and
3 Strategising our next move.

Please bear with us.

It is disheartening to note that since the decision to switch the medium of instruction was made on 8 July 2009, there has been a marked increase in the registration of children into private schools with an international curriculum as well as migrations particularly into Australia.

PAGE hopes that the Prime Minister is aware of the brain drain that the decision has caused and which Malaysia can ill-afford.

FOR OUR CHILDREN