A Matter of Fact - Revealed

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Let the parents decide
NST 2010/03/29

I REFER to the government's contention that all parties were consulted and enough time was given before the decision to abolish the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) was made.

When the debate on PPSMI began in November 2007, the self-appointed National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) was the main adviser to the Ministry of Education, representing the national schools. The national PTA, which does not represent any parent groups, PTA or any school, chose to favour the abolition of PPSMI.

The exco of the National Union of the Teaching Profession, which did not consult its members, comprising 40 per cent of teachers, also chose to favour the scrapping of PPSMI. Hence, the affected Science and Mathematics teachers were never consulted.

The Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) had suggested to the ministry then to seek a stand from the PTAs of each and every school. This did not materialise. This would have settled the matter at hand.

Only a handful of PTAs were invited to speak on behalf of their schools at the roundtables convened by the Ministry of Education.

The educationists, scientists, bankers, the private sector and PTAs that were in attendance were unanimously in favour of the PPSMI policy being maintained.

A roundtable discussion in October 2008 of Barisan Nasional political representatives from Sabah and Sarawak, except for the Chinese parties, were in favour of PPSMI being maintained. Even Umno Youth and Puteri Umno were in favour of PPSMI being maintained.

The desire for PPSMI to be maintained was intensely evident from the findings of the roundtables.

Soon enough, after failing in a civilised forum, the ultra-nationalists, linguists, political opportunists and so-called patriots and saviours of the nation took to the streets, severely damaging the image of the country internationally and holding the government to ransom.

The new education minister made the effort to meet Chinese associations together with Malay ultras, yet parents, the true and real stakeholders at national schools, were ignored.

Findings at the roundtables were blatantly ignored and a political decision to abolish PPSMI was made at the expense of the future of the children of Malaysia.

Subsequent to that decision, all surveys and polls conducted by private entities, as well as government agencies, showed that the majority of the people were not happy with the abolition of PPSMI.

We appeal to the minister of education to uphold the spirit of the prime minister's vision of 1Malaysia -- People First -- by giving back the decision-making to the parents. Only parents, who are without hidden political agendas, can decide and know what is best for the future of their children. Allow a win-win situation where PTAs can decide to choose or reject the PPSMI.

DATIN NOOR AZIMAH ABDUL RAHIM
Chairperson
Parent Action Group for Education (Page)

FOR OUR CHILDREN