THE Education Ministry is looking at using information technology to aid in the learning process when it reintroduces a controversial programme to teach science and mathematics in English, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

“The Education Ministry is studying in detail the reintroduction of PPSMI (teaching of science and maths in English policy),” he told the Dewan Rakyat today, referring to the programme by its Malay name. 

He said the best teachers would be employed for the lessons for the benefit of the pupils.

Dr Mahathir emphasised the importance of proficiency in English, which is the common medium of instruction in the sciences.

“Unlike geography and history, science is constantly progressing, and new knowledge is being discovered.”

It is important to master the English language to translate such knowledge into Bahasa Malaysia, he said.

Those with a proficiency in English, especially with regard to the scientific language, will have  access to the new knowledge developed in the field, he said.

Besides that, English is a global language and hence important for jobs.

Dr Mahathir was replying to Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) who had wanted to know if the PPSMI would be reintroduced after it was dropped in 2012 after a decade of implementation.

“I am of the view that the spirit of nationalism will encourage us to stick to our language, but if we become a society that lacks knowledge our language and race will not progress.”

Putrajaya’s plan for a reboot has been met with strong resistance from Malay education groups and a section of the teaching fraternity. – July 16, 2019.