Math and Science in Bahasa or mother tongues

The Cabinet has decided that all national primary and secondary schools will teach Science and Mathematics in Bahasa Melayu and Vernacular schools, meanwhile, will teach the subjects in either Chinese or Tamil respectively beginning 2012.

The Government made this decision after studying in detail the result of studies and close monitoring of the PPSMI by the Education Ministry and independent bodies since the policy was implemented in 2003.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said, the policy will be implemented in stages for Year One, Year Four, Form One and Form Four in 2012. The changes do not involve Form Six and Matriculation students.

All examinations for Science and Mathematics will remain bilingual until 2014, so as to not jeopardize the performance of students under the current policy - Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English or its official abbreviation PPSMI (Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris).

A Contemporary English Literature Programme For Children to inculcate the reading habit and introduce elements of literature will be introduced. English labs will be set up in schools to help students learn the language more effectively, incorporating information technology through the use of appropriate software.

To expose students to scientific terms, elements of science and technology will be absorbed into the teaching of English.

Immediate action to resolve on use of English in math and science

Some 8,000 people taking part in a protest march from the National Mosque to Istana Negara to hand a memorandum to the palace protesting the policy of using English in the teaching of mathematics and science.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants an immediate decision to be made on the use of English in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science to prevent a bigger issue from cropping up.

The Prime Minister said the government acknowledged that there was strong pressure from the people, especially the Malays, who were giving much attention to the matter.

Abdullah said the Education Ministry had held several meetings with the NGOs to discuss the matter.

Undeniably, the issue became more intense with academicians and literary figures supporting politicians in voicing their protest against the continuation of the policy, thus the prime minister wants the education minister to take immediate action to resolve the issue and avoid it from blowing up being seen as the best solution to overcome the problem.