IT is easier now to learn science and maths in English compared to 10 years ago due to the wider use of technology, said education group Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE)

There are also more teachers who can teach the two subjects in the language now compared to when the policy to teach science and maths in English, called PPSMI, was rolled out in 2003, said PAGE chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.    

It is becoming harder to stay abreast of the latest developments in science and technology in Bahasa Melayu as there is a lack of skilled people to translate reference books, which are in English, said Azimah.

“The pace of technological change is so fast that by the time you translate something into Malay, it has become outdated. So the answer is to learn science and math in English,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

She was responding to acting education minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said he wanted focus on the teaching of science and maths in English.

Azimah expects there will be opposition to such changes, which she believes are aimed at filling the dearth of scientists and engineers in the country.

In his first meeting with top Education Ministry officials on Wednesday, Dr Mahathir said he wanted more to be done to teach the two subjects in English, which is currently practised in some schools through the voluntary dual-language programme (DLP).  

Dr Mahathir did not indicate whether he is reviving the controversial but defunct PPSMI policy, which was mandatory for all national and vernacular schools.

PPSMI was introduced in 2002 during Dr Mahathir’s first term as prime minister. It was pushed through despite protests from vernacular school supporters, educators and parents.

It was abolished in 2009, when Najib Razak took over as prime minister.

Dr Mahathir’s announcement has already attracted opposition from Malay writers groups and educationists.

Pena, an association of Malay language writers, said studies done by the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in 2009 showed that PPSMI had led to an 80% drop in student performance in both subjects.

“The decision will have a disastrous impact on our children especially those in rural areas and we urge Dr Mahathir to abandon the idea,” said Pena president Dr Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad.  

PAGE however, argued that students now would have an easier time with science and maths through the use of mobile devices which can stream lessons using 5G.

“It will be smoother to roll this out now than before, where teachers are more like facilitators and the lessons are streamed,” Azimah said.  

Language obstacles can be overcome since lessons are pre-recorded and delivered using correct English terms. Teachers would then fill in the gaps when concepts need to be clarified.

“But the decision must be matched with support for teachers to do what they need to do. How this pans out in the end will depend on how much support we give teachers to do a good job.” – February 1, 2020.