THE Dual-Language Programme (DLP) should be implemented in all schools now that Putrajaya has decided against reviving the teaching of science and mathematics in English, said an education activist.

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (Page) chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said DLP, which allows schools to teach the two subjects in English if there is support for it, will let students have a say in the matter.

“All schools should have DLP. The opportunity should be given to students who want it,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“Currently, only 1,300 of more than 10,000 public schools have the programme. That’s very few.”

She was responding to the government’s announcement yesterday that it has no plans to reintroduce the teaching of science and mathematics in English.

The policy, commonly called PPSMI, was introduced by Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2003 during his first tenure as prime minister. It was in place till 2011, when it fell victim to politics and opposition from Malay nationalists, as well as concerns that it was putting students in rural areas at a disadvantage.

DLP was introduced in 2016.

The Education Ministry announced the government’s decision in a written parliamentary reply to Selayang MP William Leong, who asked about PPSMI’s status.

Noor Azimah said it is no surprise that Putrajaya is not in favour of the policy anymore, especially after the change of government in March.

Prior to that, Dr Mahathir, helming the Pakatan Harapan administration, had planned to reintroduce PPSMI.

Noor Azimah said to have the policy in place once more would be difficult as the current “teaching ecosystem” is unprepared for such a move.

“The teachers are not ready. The Education Ministry would know why they aren’t ready, but there should have been plans made to prepare them.”

She said Page has been advocating the teaching of the two subjects in English for 12 years, adding that public acceptance has increased.

“People know that science is important, and to succeed in this field, one has to learn English.”

She said there appears to be less opposition to matter, and that DLP’s introduction is an acknowledgement of PPSMI’s value.

“If not for Page, DLP would not have materialised,” she said of the group’s campaigns for the programme.

The government’s decision not to revive PPSMI has drawn praise from the country’s main linguistics institute, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), and Malay interest groups.

DBP said it is the right move, citing studies that showed more than 70% of students and teachers did not find the policy helpful in boosting their proficiency in English, science and/or mathematics.

It said the policy also resulted in fewer students interested in joining the science stream.

The organisations that support DBP’s position include the Malay Consultative Council, Federation of National Writers’ Associations, Malaysian Youth Council, West Malaysia Malay Teachers’ Union and Federation of Peninsular Malay Students. – July 17, 2020.