KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry’s persistent silence on the challenges faced by schools that initially offered dual-language programmes (DLP) but were later mandated to provide non-DLP classes to students has compelled the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (Page) to submit a memorandum to 31 ministries.
Its chairman, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, argued that the schools that offered full DLP classes were suddenly asked to offer non-DLP classes without any official written statement.
“Parents of children affected by this have sought help from Page after the appeal letter written by the parent-teacher association chairman was ignored. We were left with no choice but to go to Parliament to get the order overturned.
“The education minister (Fadlina Sidek) had insisted that full DLP schools must also offer non-DLP classes in the new academic year in 2024/2025,” she said in a press conference today.
This move against the sudden change to offer non-DLP classes was also supported by 35 organisations, including the Asian Strategic and Leadership Institute, the board of governors of Bukit Bintang Boys’ Secondary Schools, the board of managers of Vivekananda Tamil School Brickfields, Boston University Alumni Malaysia, and more.
Azimah said the objective of submitting the memorandum is to put pressure on the Education Ministry to focus on the matter during the cabinet’s two-day retreat, which will be held this week.
“We want to urge the cabinet to table our memorandum at the retreat. We are merely asking for the existing guidelines of the DLP to be strictly followed and not put further restrictions in place to undermine the success of the DLP.
“The DLP can exist alongside the English language improvement programme that the education minister had in mind,” she said.
According to Azimah, only 5.3% of primary schools in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia offer DLP classes, in contrast to schools in Sarawak, which provide 100% DLP classes to their students.
Among other demands, Page is seeking, via the memorandum, to maintain full DLP schools; respect parents’ choice; be fair and equitable to those who opt for DLP classes; expand the number of DLP schools, classes, and pupils; avoid opening compulsory non-DLP classes in 2024 by force; and avoid confusing implementation of DLP at all levels in MOE, state education department, district education office, and schools.
When asked for an update on the issue of DLP implementation in Ipoh, Perak, Azimah said that parents had fought hard to retain the English language until their children completed school.
Nevertheless, she expressed concern that schools in Ipoh and other full DLP schools might face repercussions if Fadlina did not adhere to the DLP guidelines.
“If she persists in offering non-DLP classes in full DLP schools starting in March, when the new academic year begins, it will impact schools in Perak and everyone else,” she said.
Meanwhile, Royal Selangor chairman Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon emphasised the importance of the English language as a lingua franca in the working industry, where he underscored the need for students to cultivate their English language skills from an early age in school.
Yong added that it is important to increase the hours of exposure to English, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, from 11% to 45% for students.
“This immersion in the English language would not only enhance students’ proficiency in English but also provide them with a solid foundation in STEM subjects conducted in English.” Yong said. – January 15, 2024
