The government will make a final decision on the teaching of science and mathematics in English by the beginning of next month.

muhyiddin yassin universiti malaya 020609 This latest deadline was announced in Parliament this morning by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He admitted that there are problems with the system which was introduced in 2003 ostensibly to assist students in mastering the English language.

However, Muhyiddin said that English is the international language of education.

Answering a question in Parliament today, Muhyiddin, who inherited the problem from predecessor Hishammuddin Hussein, said the government is getting closer to a decision.

"A full announcement will be made by the beginning of July," he said in his reply to Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong).

Asked if the policy has been effective, Muhyiddin said the impact has been nominal. The government was to have reviewed the system last year but no decision had been made and the issue had dragged on.

Many education groups have opposed the policy on the ground that the two subjects are better understood if taught in Bahasa Malaysia or in mother-tongue languages in vernacular schools.

It is widely expected that the government will find the middle ground in continuing to use English to teach the two subjects while trying to accommodate the wishes of the opponents.

Muhyiddin had earlier floated a proposal for a compulsory pass in English at the SPM level.

sjkt vallambrosa 210109 classroom 01 Muhyiddin said some of the main problems are that students and teachers have an 'everage' command of English, based on studies conducted by both the ministry and institutes of higher learning.

There is a gap between rural and urban areas on the grasp of the language, which subsequently affects rural students’ understanding of maths and science.

A Bernama report quoted him as saying that the use of technology would be capitalised for enhanced English teaching and learning in schools, and that suitable software would be provided.

He added that his ministry is also studying the possibility of introducing English Literature and grammar in schools in an effort to improve students' writing and communication skills.

The period allotted for English classes would be extended to enable the content to be expanded.

"As such, we will enhance the competency of English teachers. More qualified English teachers will be recruited especially for the rural schools," he added.

Muhyiddin assured that Bahasa Melayu will not be sidelined by the government.

'No infrastructure'

A few opposition members of parliament later held a press conference slamming Muhyiddin and urging the government to abolish the policy.

They questioned the need for the policy when the government has been fully aware that it does not have the infrastructure to sustain the policy.

khalid samad 160609 02 A vexed Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) said the government should not use “our students as guinea pigs”.

“It does not take six years to finally see that you don’t have enough teachers (who are competent in teaching English).

“The ministry has finally realised that in order to increase the competency of English, you teach English, you do not teach other subjects in English."

The MPs also voiced concern that the national language may be sidelined.

Other MPs at the press conference were Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), Yusmadi Yusoff (PKR-Balik Pulau), and Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri (PKR–Bagan Serai).