12 Malacca PTAs appeal for option to use English
(NST) MALACCA: The parent-teacher associations of 12 secondary schools here have urged the government to retain the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English in their schools.
The PTAs are from SMK St Francis, SMK Gajah Berang, SMK Tinggi St David, SMK Canossa Convent, SMK Infant Jesus Convent, SM Catholic, SMJK Tinggi Cina, AM Yok Bin, SMK Tun Tuah, SM Pulau Sebang, Sekolah Tinggi Methodist Melaka and SMK (P) Methodist Melaka.
Their spokesman, Mak Chee Kin, a committee member of the SMK St Francis PTA, said that letters on the matter were submitted on July 24 to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is the education minister.
"We are also supporting the move by SMK Sri Hartamas and a letter has been sent to its PTA vice-chairman, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.
"The PTA of these 12 schools want students to be given an option to learn Science and Mathematics in English. These schools have benefited from the PPSMI policy and the PTAs feel that they should be given the opportunity to maintain the teaching of both subjects in English.
"As it is, the students are disheartened by the reversal as they had adapted well to the policy."
Mak said the PTAs welcomed the decision to allow Chinese and Tamil schools to use their respective mother-tongue.
The PTAs hoped that, similarly, secondary school students would be given the opportunity to opt for the language in which they wanted to study the two subjects, in this case, English.
"This is vital, especially to ensure that students are able to rise to global challenges as English is the world's most used communication language.
"We are not pushing for the government to go back on its decision to do away with the PPSMI but, at least, give the option to students in some schools who prefer to study Science and Maths in English."
Asked to comment on the request, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong said that the parents had the right to express their opinion.
"If they have written to the country's leadership, then the matter would be carefully scrutinised and I leave it to them (the leadership) to decide on the matter."
