Division chief: Don’t revert to Bahasa Malaysia for teaching Science and Maths

(The Star) – PASIR PUTEH: More than 1,000 people here, including teachers as well as Parent-Teacher Association members, are in favour of using English to teach Science and Mathematics in schools.

“The Education Ministry should not bow to pressure from Malay language academicians to revert to using Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction for both subjects,” said Pasir Puteh Umno division chief and former teacher Zawawi Othman.

“The future of the younger generation is at stake here. The medium of instruction in English is the way forward,” he told reporters before handing over a memorandum to support the present system to state deputy education director Ishak Ismail at SMK Kamil here yesterday.

Zawawi said if the Education Ministry bowed to pressure, it would certainly affect those teachers earning RM300 per month teaching English after school hours.

“In fact, the present system had been proven to be good in enabling pupils from the rural schools to master English. It is further proven by the UPSR and SPM results.

“I cannot see how the present system can affect Bahasa Malaysia as the national language,” he added. Ishak said he would also hand over the memorandum to Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as soon as possible.