SCIENCE and mathematics teachers are cautiously supportive of Putrajaya’s plans to teach both subjects in English again, saying this time, it should begin only in year one.

Starting among 6- or 7-year-olds will make the policy’s roll-out smoother compared to 17 years ago, when PPSMI was simultaneously implemented in years one and four, and form one, said members of the STEM4ALL Makerspace community centre.

Children in year one can grasp rudimentary science and mathematics concepts in English far better than older kids, even if they come from households that do not speak the language, said retired teacher Lai Yong Yin.

By building a foundation in English, these children will be better equipped to handle more complex concepts in science in the same language, which is taught in national schools starting in year three.  

“When you start kids early, they are able to handle it,” said Lai, who spent three decades teaching in Selangor’s national primary and secondary schools, including during the PPSMI era.

“For some kids who were weaker in English, I used to give them half an hour of extra lessons in English after school so that they could catch up. And they all did.”

Lai was an English teacher who coached other educators who taught mathematics and science under PPSMI.

“It can be done, as many primary school teachers today can speak English,” said Lai, now a mentor at STEM4ALL Makerspace.

The not-for-profit centre promotes the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

It has worked with the Education Ministry and conducted numerous programmes with schools all over Selangor to promote an interest in these subjects.

Acting education minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has raised the idea of making all national schools teach science and mathematics in English.

Currently, only selected schools teach the two subjects in English, under the Dual Language Programme.

In his first meeting with ministry officials on January 31, Dr Mahathir said because science and mathematics are not “indigenous fields of knowledge”, the government is “going to use English in the teaching of science and mathematics”.

The idea has attracted both criticism and support as it resembles PPSMI, which was his brainchild during his first stint as prime minister.

The policy was discontinued in 2009 under the Najib Razak administration after studies showed its shortcomings.

A 2008 Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) study on the policy showed that 70% of students found it difficult to understand lessons in English for the two subjects.

Students surveyed in the UPSI study also registered below-average scores for science, mathematics and English, leading the authors to conclude that the policy failed to meet its objectives.

However, the Pakatan Harapan cabinet has yet to make a final decision on Dr Mahathir’s idea.

Another STEM trainer, Ramesh Pillai, echoed Lai’s sentiments, saying starting the policy among primary school pupils will not hamper their ability to learn the subjects when they enter secondary school.

In comparison, secondary school students today would have a tougher time as they would have to switch to learning mathematics and science in English from Bahasa Melayu, he said.

“English should be the preferred language to learn science and mathematics because it’s the language for these subjects at the post-secondary level,” said Ramesh, who is STEM4ALL Makerspace community engagement director.

“But it is also a question of resources. Are our teachers prepared? That’s why it should start at the primary level only first, so there will be fewer problems like the last time.”

It is also easier to train primary school teachers to teach mathematics and science in English given that concepts in the subjects are simpler at the elementary level, he added. – February 8, 2020.