Govt eyes 2011 start for math, science in BM

Tags: Education Ministry | Muhyiddin Yassin | parliament | PPSMI

Written by Chua Sue-Ann

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 13:21

KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today told parliament the ministry is mulling the possibility of teaching mathematics and science in Bahasa Malaysia to Standard One students in 2011, ahead of the 2012 target year set for other students.

To a question by Mohd Nor Othman (Hulu Terengganu-BN), Muhyiddin said this would depend on whether there were enough teachers and if the new curriculum and textbooks for English language, science and mathematics can be completed by the end of 2010.

The deputy prime minister told a press conference later that the ministry had yet to decide on the matter and will announce a decision early next year.

On the rationale of allowing Standard One students to begin ahead of the pack, Muhyiddin said the new students would not have any problems adjusting to the new system.

On July 8, Muhyiddin announced cabinet's decision to abolish the teaching of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI), reverting to Bahasa Malaysia and vernacular languages in phases effective 2012.

The move would see national schools teaching both subjects in Bahasa Malaysia while Chinese and Tamil schools would employ its respective vernacular language.

Today, Muhyiddin (Pagoh-BN) also quashed fears of a shift back to teaching the subjects in English, and maintained that the cabinet's decision was "final".

"We are ready and committed. I don't foresee a reversal to the PPSMI," Muhyiddin said to a supplementary question, adding that the ministry had given itself sufficient time to make preparations before 2012.

The teaching and learning of English will be enhanced alongside the revert for science and mathematics to Bahasa Malaysia, Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin told parliament the education ministry will hold discussions with public and private institutions of higher learning on the impact of the policy on tertiary education.

Asked by Azmin Ali (Gombak-PKR), Muhyiddin said the cost was "not bad (boleh tahan juga)" and that the funds spent for PPSMI were not "burnt" as some of the resources could still be re-used.

According to Muhyiddin, PPSMI that was implemented in 2003 cost some RM5 billion while the government will apply for "sufficient allocations" and utilise existing amenities to implement the new policy.

The teaching of science and mathematics in Bahasa Malaysia will be implemented in stages in Standard One and Standard Four in primary schools and Form One and Form Four in secondary schools beginning 2012.

However, the change would not involve matriculation, Form Six and university levels.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 October 2009 13:25

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