I failed to understand as why there is a disagreement in the implementation of English in Science and Mathematics. As though, those who were against the implementation don't have kids studying in primary or secondary school. As a father, it should be obvious that we want the best out of our children. Students should be best in both worlds i.e. a good command in English and a good mastering in Mathematics and Science. Again, it is obvious that if we want the best achievement, it should start as as early as possible. The current trend of learning is to introduce reading, writing and arithmetic in the early period of learning stage. A visionary parents will start teaching their children with English words. Professionals and educated parents prefer to converse in English with their children.
2. These are the trend in the society. Educational planners need to study the whole issue in total. There are issues of politics, economics, social and cultures that need to be considered. Parents who teach their children English at home sometimes are more committed to national building issues compare to others because they do care. Those who go for English are not traitors because English is no more the language of the colonials but it is a medium of communication and a medium for trade. The Chinese and Indians community will go for English even if it is a compulsory to pass Bahasa Malaysia in the exam. Again, it is obvious to them if you want to excel, the key ingredient is English. Is it fair to label them as not abiding citizen for failing to use Malay or competent in their usage of Malay? If educated parents go for English, shouldn't we think that those parents in rural areas must do the same to be at par. Is it wise to change the policy and let them rest on their laurels? If we want to change for the better, shouldn't we set for a higher target rather then to set a lower target an dream to get a better achievement? It doesn't compute so to say.
3. Malaysia is moving very fast towards a developed country. The analogy to reach early to any destination is to have a good and fast transport. No matter what it will cost, it is obvious and clear that a good transport is the answer to our dream to be the winner in the competition to reach a destination. Should you question whether you have the budget to buy the transport, skills to handle the vehicle, enough manpower for mobilization or sentimental issues such as love, dignity, pride to stop you from winning? The answer is no. By hook or by crook, no matter how difficult, a good transport is the answer. In this case, when it comes to national building and achievement the answer is the usage of English in critical subjects such as Mathematics and Science.
4. Therefore, if a decision needed to be made..the most important group to respond are the actual stakeholders i.e. the end users that will benefit most form the policy. In the Malaysian context, the business community should be given the due recognition and respect of their opinions. Business community knows what is best and should be done to our future generations. Business community determines the comfort, conducive environment and security living in our own country without interference of foreign elements.
5. If there is a resistance from Malay linguistic professors, it is obvious that their position are now being challenged because of the new policy. They will be seen as losers for not fighting their cause. If they were really sincere in their disagreement, the objections should have come earlier and not at this moment whereby the momentum of implementation is big. It is not wrong to go for Bahasa Malaysia. More importantly is whether it will bring benefits for Malaysians as a whole or not. Researchers in field of science is important and beneficial to the world scientific community. The question is whether it is beneficial to the community, whether there is a market value for the research and whether the investment incurred will give profitable returns. At the end of the day, it is a dollar and sense issues. A strong and wealthy Malay will be able to take care their language better rather than a weak and poor Malay. A good command in English doesn't mean that it will make them less Malay. What if he can speak good Malay during the United Nation's meeting or sing a Malay song in the Royal Albert hall of London ? Isn't that the achievements that we want out of the usage of Malay language?
6. Mathematics and Science in English is actually about implementations and not because of inabilities of rural students. It is about teachers that need to double their effort and given a proper re numerations for their effort. It is about ample time frame. More importantly, it is about a 'no turning back' in the policy. If there is one, I'm not surprise if there are teachers who prey that the government goes back to the old policy that will lessen their burden. Never in the history of national education policy whereby teachers are supplied with computers that changed their way of teaching. If it is about a competition mode, teachers should understand their role. Name to us your price, as long as you can produce students who excel in Mathematics and Science in English.
7. National policy should be discussed by committees and those concern parties in the issues. Once it goes to the street, there must be something wrong about it. You don't mix important decisions with emotions. Even if it is under the purview of the Minister of Education, the Prime Minister should be given the prerogative to decide what is best for the nation. As the leader of the country, every planning must fall into the right place. The decision is not with the cabinet, but the decision is best being left to the prime minister alone and for him to decide.
8. Students are just like white clothes. We should decide what is best for them. It is a learning process. They will learn what is being given to them. White cloth is the basics and you can turn them into red, black or any other colour. As in a batik printing, it can turn to any design and forms. The most importance is consistency, the right mix and the direction you are going. In this 'mathematics and science in English issue' we need a clear conscience. As a father..don't confuse your kids......
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