The National Association Headmasters wants the Education Ministry to immediately draw out further details o­n how to implement the language switch o­n teaching Science and Mathematics for all Chinese primary schools.

The association is worried that confusion might arise o­n which language the Chinese primary schools should use to set questions for Science and Mathematics in the forthcoming semester examinations.

"Although all Chinese primary schools had agreed to use mother tongue in teaching Science and Mathematics while English to be used for teaching terminologies, but as the semester examinations are to be held soon, many headmasters are hesitant o­n which language should be used in the question papers," said association's president Kang Siew Khoon in a statement.

"We hope that MCA and other BN's Chinese-based parties can o­nce again discuss with the BN supreme council, and let the ministry officials draw out more details o­n the alternative language switch proposal and give directive to all Chinese primary schools and related departments," he added.

New system

Beginning this year, the government introduced the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English for all primary o­ne, form o­ne and form six students in all schools. However for Chinese primary schools, the government accepted an alternative proposal in which mother tongue will be continued to be used to teach these two subjects.

Under the alternative arrangement, suggested by Chinese-based parties in BN, the number of periods allocated for several subjects will be reduced to make way for the teaching of the two subjects in English within school hours, in addition to classes also conducted in Chinese.

In the government's original plan, as a way to ease students with this language switch, the mother tongue as well as English will be used to set examination questions. However, the government has not decided if the same formula will be used for Chinese primary schools, resulting in the confusion now.

"Different policies implemented by individual headmasters in each schools might affect the identities of Chinese primary schools and bring tremendous negative impact to the future development of Chinese primary schools," said Kang.

Kang also expressed the association's objections in requiring examination questions be set in two languages or even in English alone. He said that Chinese primary schools should be allowed to set questions in Mandarin.

Give clear directives

When contacted for comments, the influential United Chinese School Teachers' Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) assistant chief executive secretary Yap Hon Kait also expressed his worries o­n the latest development.

He explained that most Chinese primary schools are now allowing students to decide which language they want to use in examinations involving Science and Mathematics.

Following feedback from parent, some of the schools are emphasing in using English to teach the two subject, and this, according to Yap might pave the way for the ministry to use English as the examinations language for UPSR in 2008.

"The ministry should give their directive clearly to all Chinese schools and instruct them to use Chinese language for their Science and Mathematics exams," he said.

"The main purpose students are studying in Chinese primary schools are to obtain mother tongue education," he stressed.