KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 – Ever since Datuk Seri Najib Razak took office as prime minister just under 100 days ago, the outspoken Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has held his peace and refrained from attacking the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
But today Dr Mahathir hit out at the Najib administration for “not listening to the voice of the people” when it decided to abandon the policy of teaching science and mathematics in English.
“I am not surprised over the disappointment and even anger towards the government’s decision on the teaching of maths and science,” he said.
“Seems to me like the government is not listening to the voice of the people,” the former prime minister said in a short posting on his blog today.
Dr Mahathir also appeared to be planning a campaign to stop the government from reversing a policy he had initiated six years ago just before he retired.
He has started a poll to ask readers of his blog if they supported or opposed the decision to now revert to teaching science and mathematics in Bahasa Melayu.
A separate poll conducted recently of voters in peninsular Malaysia by the independent Merdeka Centre showed that a majority of Malaysians wanted English to remain as the medium of instruction for the two subjects.
But yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the government’s decision to scrap the policy, bowing to pressure from nationalists and education activists.
Dr Mahathir, who had been informed by the DPM prior to the announcement, said yesterday that his recommendations were not taken into consideration.
He had suggested the government at least keep English as the medium of instruction for secondary schools.
The former PM also punched holes in the government’s arguments, and pointed out that if the government was now going to train more English teachers, they could also train science and mathematics teachers in the same language as well.
Dr Mahathir had been a strident critic of the Abdullah Badawi administration, and his attacks against the last prime minister had contributed significantly to the latter’s eventual downfall.
Last year, Malaysia’s longest serving PM even quit Umno and only rejoined the party this year when Najib took office. Since then Najib has taken pains to pay homage to Dr Mahathir.
But in recent weeks, Dr Mahathir had begun to seethe over some of Najib’s decisions.
Besides ignoring Dr Mahathir and deciding to skip the recent Penanti by-election, Najib has also disregarded the former PM over the “crooked bridge” to Singapore.
Dr Mahathir had also recently come out to say that the liberalization of the economy was not the right move by Najib.
The ongoing attempt by the Najib administration in trying to appoint his aide Omar Mustapha to the board of Petronas has also irritated Dr Mahathir who is still the national oil company’s adviser.
But with the flip-flop on the government’s English policy, Dr Mahathir appears to be preparing to strike back.
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Comments (62)
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written by Greenbug, July 09, 2009
written by Greenbug, July 09, 2009
Then can someone explain how the PM obtained his 65% rating in a recent Merdeka poll?
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written by Bigjoe, July 09, 2009
written by Bigjoe, July 09, 2009
Interesting, the non-UMNO crowd liked PPSMI while the UMNO bunch don't. But then the problem is Najib just crawled a little way back from non-UMNO crowd, and about to lose it again?
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written by Jack, July 09, 2009
written by Jack, July 09, 2009
Dr M, you have my FULL support for insisting Math and Science in English from FORM ONE all the way to tertiary (But don't PPSMI in primary).
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written by dawud farquhar, July 09, 2009
written by dawud farquhar, July 09, 2009
It is for the sake of Rakyat that sane voices prevail over the language issue. Tun Mahathir has got it right and I would imagine that 60% of the Rakyat would also support to keep English as the medium language of Maths and Science.
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written by Manek Urai, July 09, 2009
written by Manek Urai, July 09, 2009
This is the policy I totally agreed with you at least maintain English as a prime medium inn our secondary school
If Malaysians cannot adpot to changes while the world revolve , we are definately and gradually cannot compete to survive globally.
If Malaysians cannot adpot to changes while the world revolve , we are definately and gradually cannot compete to survive globally.
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written by Rookie, July 09, 2009
written by Rookie, July 09, 2009
I believe Study n Survey should be consulted first before this drastic action being taken. Authorities should run a survey instead. Final say still the Rakyat. Confuse with all this impulsive move.
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written by apple, July 09, 2009
written by apple, July 09, 2009
Dr M try to correct his mistake of changing medium of instruction for math and science in secondary school back to English .... but he had overdone it, and introduced it to primary school .
Now, our new DPM did the opposite things .. that is, correcting back the primary schaool medium of instruction for maths and science using mother tongue language , which is right .. but this time over done it by , revert back the secondary school maths and science from English back to BM .
Seems that both make mistake as like cancer cells, it does not follow rules of games, all try to be heroes !
trying to make all malaysian students become pig .... ie guinea pig .
Footnotes : Guinea pig
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), also commonly called the Cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not pigs, nor do they come from Guinea. They originated in the Andes, and studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated descendants of a closely related species of cavy such as Cavia aperea, C. fulgida, or C. tschudii, and therefore do not exist naturally in the wild.[1][2] The guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.[3] Since the 1960s, efforts have been made to increase consumption of the animal outside South America.[4]
Now, our new DPM did the opposite things .. that is, correcting back the primary schaool medium of instruction for maths and science using mother tongue language , which is right .. but this time over done it by , revert back the secondary school maths and science from English back to BM .
Seems that both make mistake as like cancer cells, it does not follow rules of games, all try to be heroes !
trying to make all malaysian students become pig .... ie guinea pig .
Footnotes : Guinea pig
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), also commonly called the Cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not pigs, nor do they come from Guinea. They originated in the Andes, and studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated descendants of a closely related species of cavy such as Cavia aperea, C. fulgida, or C. tschudii, and therefore do not exist naturally in the wild.[1][2] The guinea pig plays an important role in the folk culture of many Indigenous South American groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies.[3] Since the 1960s, efforts have been made to increase consumption of the animal outside South America.[4]
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written by orang biasa, July 09, 2009
written by orang biasa, July 09, 2009
I really tiring & disappointed towards Malaysia's politician, they never seem to see the future development of our country, they never awake after one another mistake been done....
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written by Kopitiam Chat, July 09, 2009
written by Kopitiam Chat, July 09, 2009
Topic : Teaching in English
Teaching of Maths and Science subjects in mother tongue is acceptable in primary schools.
Subjects like Maths and Science in Secondary Schools, must be taught in English in order to to prepare our young generations to compete globally. If possible, reinstate the English medium schools which were abolished in 1970s.
In view of the globalisation, we want our young generations to be more mobile instead of confining to a small sector with limited personal growth. If the incompetent shortsighted politicians are so stubborn in accepting teaching in English, then please send all their children to public schools instead of private or international schools or study abroad.
English language is just like computer, telecommunication etc , whether you like it or not , is a must in this modern world. In conclusion, it is advisable that Maths and Science subjects must be taught in English in Secondary Schools.
Teaching of Maths and Science subjects in mother tongue is acceptable in primary schools.
Subjects like Maths and Science in Secondary Schools, must be taught in English in order to to prepare our young generations to compete globally. If possible, reinstate the English medium schools which were abolished in 1970s.
In view of the globalisation, we want our young generations to be more mobile instead of confining to a small sector with limited personal growth. If the incompetent shortsighted politicians are so stubborn in accepting teaching in English, then please send all their children to public schools instead of private or international schools or study abroad.
English language is just like computer, telecommunication etc , whether you like it or not , is a must in this modern world. In conclusion, it is advisable that Maths and Science subjects must be taught in English in Secondary Schools.
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written by Hang Tuah 1, July 09, 2009
written by Hang Tuah 1, July 09, 2009
He had suggested the government at least keep English as the medium of instruction for secondary schools.
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I agree with TDM's recommendation -
Primary schools teach in mother tongue.
But keep English as medium for Science and Maths in secondary schools and universities.
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What is the major problem????
Teachers !!!!
Who are to be blamed???
Teachers !!!!
What happened to all the good teachers who can teach these subjects in English???
Many of them retired...
Many of them opted for early retirement so that they can teach in private schools -
Partly the govt wants to replace them early with Malay teachers...
And these Malay teachers cannot speak English -
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30 years of BM policy in 1970s to 2002 -
Have produced a generation of non-English speaking Malaysians.
The damage is already done lah -
In the last 6 years - 2003 to 2009 - under English policy,
These teachers for Science and Maths underwent hugh re-training -
To train them to teach in English for Sc and Mths -
Results after spending millions or billions of ringgits - still cannot speak lah.
About 10 per cent of teachers in Primary schools can speak English -
About 20 per cent of teachers in Secondary can speak English -
That means the re-training failed big time.
The only so much money spent on these teachers for re-training -
These teachers also absent from classes because of such courses.
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Muhyiddin said more training to be given to teachers teaching English -
and recruit more teachers to teach English -
That means more money...
After six years, this project also fail lah.
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I agree with TDM's recommendation -
Primary schools teach in mother tongue.
But keep English as medium for Science and Maths in secondary schools and universities.
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What is the major problem????
Teachers !!!!
Who are to be blamed???
Teachers !!!!
What happened to all the good teachers who can teach these subjects in English???
Many of them retired...
Many of them opted for early retirement so that they can teach in private schools -
Partly the govt wants to replace them early with Malay teachers...
And these Malay teachers cannot speak English -
---
30 years of BM policy in 1970s to 2002 -
Have produced a generation of non-English speaking Malaysians.
The damage is already done lah -
In the last 6 years - 2003 to 2009 - under English policy,
These teachers for Science and Maths underwent hugh re-training -
To train them to teach in English for Sc and Mths -
Results after spending millions or billions of ringgits - still cannot speak lah.
About 10 per cent of teachers in Primary schools can speak English -
About 20 per cent of teachers in Secondary can speak English -
That means the re-training failed big time.
The only so much money spent on these teachers for re-training -
These teachers also absent from classes because of such courses.
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Muhyiddin said more training to be given to teachers teaching English -
and recruit more teachers to teach English -
That means more money...
After six years, this project also fail lah.
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written by It's OK, July 09, 2009
written by It's OK, July 09, 2009
Najib, though I doh't support BN, I still think you must not be subserviant to this egomaniac. Do your job as prime minister free of his interference. Tou are answerable to the rakyat, not to him....understand?
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written by eng ah por, July 09, 2009
written by eng ah por, July 09, 2009
Poor Mahat,When is he going to realise that he is a has been and retire to pasture for his as well as the Rakyat's sake.Has he forgotten that it was him which implemented Bahasa as the sole medium and put english into oblivion.Why canvass for something which he despised during his watch.
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written by Tukau James, July 09, 2009
written by Tukau James, July 09, 2009
I am not a big fan of TDM but in this matter about teaching of Maths and Science in English I fully agre with the Tun. The Government should not have reverted back to BM because the initial policy by TDM was in fact very good the problem lies with its implementation and too much politics involved in the system.
By reverting back to BM, Malaysia is going back to the stone age when the rest of the world is going foward in globalisation.
I am a Malaysian and living in the US, in a university community and I have met many Japanese, Korean and Arab students studying English in the US with a view to be competitive in this modern world.
Japan is so advance and have all the most advance technical books in Japanese and yet the country still sent students to learn English.
Why are the Malaysian leaders so naive.
Despite the fact so much criticism have been levelled at TDM on his many policies, I give credit to him on this policy because of his vision.
I was reading the NST online the other day about the Government's intention to recruit foreign teachers to teach English.Tthis could have been done with Math and Science teachers long time ago. Why only now? Is it just to appease the people of Malaysia who had already spent so much on their kids to make them learn Math and Science in English and only end up like this.
TDM should go all out to campaign to revert this policy before 2012.
Forget the so called literary figure A Samad Said? who had been campaigning for this reversion, he is is from the old school and let him stay being ignorant, this is the age of globalisation, Malaysia need to be going foward not backward.
By reverting back to BM, Malaysia is going back to the stone age when the rest of the world is going foward in globalisation.
I am a Malaysian and living in the US, in a university community and I have met many Japanese, Korean and Arab students studying English in the US with a view to be competitive in this modern world.
Japan is so advance and have all the most advance technical books in Japanese and yet the country still sent students to learn English.
Why are the Malaysian leaders so naive.
Despite the fact so much criticism have been levelled at TDM on his many policies, I give credit to him on this policy because of his vision.
I was reading the NST online the other day about the Government's intention to recruit foreign teachers to teach English.Tthis could have been done with Math and Science teachers long time ago. Why only now? Is it just to appease the people of Malaysia who had already spent so much on their kids to make them learn Math and Science in English and only end up like this.
TDM should go all out to campaign to revert this policy before 2012.
Forget the so called literary figure A Samad Said? who had been campaigning for this reversion, he is is from the old school and let him stay being ignorant, this is the age of globalisation, Malaysia need to be going foward not backward.
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written by Mushin, July 09, 2009
written by Mushin, July 09, 2009
I strongly agree with Tun M's view. How can one judge the success/failure of a policy basing one only ONE exam?
We were moving forward, now we slide back.
Politicians, don't play with our kids' future as well as our nation's future.
Primary schools can teach in their mother tongue. Secondary school/form 6 /university in English. I was from the old era where I attended Chinese school during my primary days then switch to English medium school from Form 1 on (of course I have to go through 'remove class' to brush up my English).
Fight for us Dr. M
We were moving forward, now we slide back.
Politicians, don't play with our kids' future as well as our nation's future.
Primary schools can teach in their mother tongue. Secondary school/form 6 /university in English. I was from the old era where I attended Chinese school during my primary days then switch to English medium school from Form 1 on (of course I have to go through 'remove class' to brush up my English).
Fight for us Dr. M
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written by siva prasanna krishnan, July 09, 2009
written by siva prasanna krishnan, July 09, 2009
Do not attach any emotional baggage to language. Language is a tool. Once upon a time, i used books to gain knowledge. that was my tool. i used to listen to radio broadcasts, then to telecasts and today i use the internet. it is a tool. it does not belong to any one race or country. Today the English language does not belong to England. Do not be carried away by the adjective English. To me it is a languge and happens to be the language that helps me the most intellectually because of the access to information and skills that are conveyed to me in that language. I am not in love with English. I appreciate what i read in that langauge, for the knowledge, the emotions, the intellectual challenges. but then i enjoyed all the conversations i had with my mother in my native language and its a pity most of my friends could not understand or appreciate that not so widely spoken language. many of the nuances of malayalam cannot be articulated in English because to my ears the humor of malayalam is without compare. but it is a language and it serves its purpose.
Today, English has a purpose. use it for that purpose for the young ones to whom we owe something. that something is their right to master a language when they are young. do not take away that right and do not allow all those english speaking adults to determine that the youngsters will not learn in english.
those in the cities will continue to speak in english. Please do not hold back our rural children. Children can learn multiple languages. Where is the real problem? Face it and tackle it. Is it the children or is it the unteachable teachers?????
get back the retired english speaking teachers to teach our youngsters. give them a chance. Do not attach emotions on any of the languages. language is a tool. i stopped using my dictionary when i got my computer. i stopped using the encyclopaedia when i got the Net. But i will never give away my dictionary nor my encyclopaedia and am glad i know how to make full use of my pc. emotionally i am closer to the books than the pc. but both are tools.
someone please see sense.
Today, English has a purpose. use it for that purpose for the young ones to whom we owe something. that something is their right to master a language when they are young. do not take away that right and do not allow all those english speaking adults to determine that the youngsters will not learn in english.
those in the cities will continue to speak in english. Please do not hold back our rural children. Children can learn multiple languages. Where is the real problem? Face it and tackle it. Is it the children or is it the unteachable teachers?????
get back the retired english speaking teachers to teach our youngsters. give them a chance. Do not attach emotions on any of the languages. language is a tool. i stopped using my dictionary when i got my computer. i stopped using the encyclopaedia when i got the Net. But i will never give away my dictionary nor my encyclopaedia and am glad i know how to make full use of my pc. emotionally i am closer to the books than the pc. but both are tools.
someone please see sense.
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written by pttan, July 09, 2009
written by pttan, July 09, 2009
75% wanted English on the online poll, yet the government does not listen.
maybe they will argiue that it is not representative as those who favor malay dont access the internet, blah, blah, blah, not technological savvy, blah blah....
I then will "REST MY CASE"
maybe they will argiue that it is not representative as those who favor malay dont access the internet, blah, blah, blah, not technological savvy, blah blah....
I then will "REST MY CASE"
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written by BusukNajiz, July 09, 2009
written by BusukNajiz, July 09, 2009
English in Science & Math for Secondary onwards not Primary !!!
Ask ourselves these questions:
What is the PURPOSE of teaching Science & Math to our Primary Schools' children?
To gain knowledge on both subjests or for mastering the English language?
Please consider the fact that our children in the Primary Schools are from a diverse background.
It isn't hard to understand the suffering of a majority of primary school kids especially those in rural area being force to master an "alien language" & at same time 2 not-so-easy subjects.
In fact, the failed policy had jeopardized our primary kids interests in the 2 subjects.
I agreed the important of strengthening our kids' ability in mastering English but forcing English in Sci & Math in primary school is not the way.
Ask ourselves these questions:
What is the PURPOSE of teaching Science & Math to our Primary Schools' children?
To gain knowledge on both subjests or for mastering the English language?
Please consider the fact that our children in the Primary Schools are from a diverse background.
It isn't hard to understand the suffering of a majority of primary school kids especially those in rural area being force to master an "alien language" & at same time 2 not-so-easy subjects.
In fact, the failed policy had jeopardized our primary kids interests in the 2 subjects.
I agreed the important of strengthening our kids' ability in mastering English but forcing English in Sci & Math in primary school is not the way.
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written by Joe Ang, July 09, 2009
written by Joe Ang, July 09, 2009
You did away with the English medium schools when you were education minister and as PM, you introduced teaching in English for Science and Mathematics. You were merely taking us fopr fools. Can anyone efferctively learn English through Science and Mathematics when there is so little English in Mathematics.
Don't even postpone the abolishment to 2012, do so after this school year. Teach functional English with proper grammer, etc and not the conversational English of old. We just do not have the required nos. of school teachers proficicnet enough to teach English and students should be encourage to learn English informally. RTM can do much to show english cartoon movies without translation and subtitles.
If grandma can learn English informally, there is no question that students cannot. We must given students the confidence and they will not fail us.
Parents who are not conversant in the English Language, if you want to send your children to learn English from private tutor, please make very sure that the tutors themselve at least can speak a decent level of English,.especially in small towns.
Don't even postpone the abolishment to 2012, do so after this school year. Teach functional English with proper grammer, etc and not the conversational English of old. We just do not have the required nos. of school teachers proficicnet enough to teach English and students should be encourage to learn English informally. RTM can do much to show english cartoon movies without translation and subtitles.
If grandma can learn English informally, there is no question that students cannot. We must given students the confidence and they will not fail us.
Parents who are not conversant in the English Language, if you want to send your children to learn English from private tutor, please make very sure that the tutors themselve at least can speak a decent level of English,.especially in small towns.
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written by lasersharp, July 09, 2009
written by lasersharp, July 09, 2009
I am of the view that it doesnt matter. You could teach math in English, BM, Greek, French etc.. as long as you teach it well. It's more a quality problem than language problem.
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written by richardkam, July 09, 2009
written by richardkam, July 09, 2009
One group certainly agree whole heartedly with this change. They are the private schools whose enrollment will sky rocket next year. Looks like the poor will be left out and those who can barely afford will have to tighten their belt for the sake of their children. Of course this will not affect the royals, rich and the high ranking Umnoputras. The rural folks should ask them why they are not sending their children to government schools.
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written by Lula, July 09, 2009
written by Lula, July 09, 2009
Let teachers do a TOEFL and when they pass pay them a premium. This way it is possible to mprove the language skill even from Malay teachers. Lazy is not good, for no one! Being a teacher only no other job was availabel is not good for the future of our nation!
Going against the parents wish is bad and going against Dr. M was a unwise move. They will get hit badly!
Going against the parents wish is bad and going against Dr. M was a unwise move. They will get hit badly!
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written by TJK, July 09, 2009
written by TJK, July 09, 2009
No second thoughts, i support the following:
Primary school - mother tongue
Secondary School - English
Primary school - mother tongue
Secondary School - English
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written by John Lim, July 09, 2009
written by John Lim, July 09, 2009
Wrath of Rakyat about to befall the corrupted and vicious BN government indeed!! The power struggle between Najib and Dr M will only bring BN's demise earlier !!
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written by aribabak, July 09, 2009
written by aribabak, July 09, 2009
Malaysia was a British colony before Merdeka.
As a sovereign nation, we adopted Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
Politically, this is correct.
Due to its multiracial population mix and political expediency, the Chinese and Tamil languages were retained as medium of instruction in vernacular schools.
Unfortunately for Malaysia, our colonial language (English) happened to be the most influential economic and political language in the world during the last 150 years. That is the root cause that, even until today, 52 years after Merdeka, we are still haggling over which language we should use to teach our children when they learn science and mathematics in school.
Frankly, we need not know much English to learn maths. It is all figures and equations. As for science, most BM terms are just the original terms spelt according to BM dictation rules (eg. psychology becomes psikologi).
What we mostly overlooked in this debate is the falling standard concerning the comprehension, grammatical and expressive aspects of the English language. This English language is also very idiosyncratic, making it difficult to master. There is only one way to improve our standard of literary English; read a lot of books or articles. The government should now ensure and invest in improving the teaching standard of English where English is taught in schools. There is nothing stopping parents tutoring their own kids in English at home.
So, spare our children the agony and let them learn maths and science in BM, which also served as a unifying language for the various races in Malaysia.
Finally, just step back a little and imagine this.
WHAT IF MALAYSIA WERE A DUTCH OR FRENCH COLONY?
Look at Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, the three big brothers in ASEAN.
The debate of using either Dutch or French as medium of instruction in their schools after gaining independence never existed. All children were taught Bahasa Indonesia or Vietnamese from the onset (kindergarten). What about their grasp of English? Their elites are also very conversant in English. Please read the Bangkok Post and The Nation from Thailand. Poor English? IMHO, better than most Malaysian English papers. What about their journalistic standards? We can only dream of in Malaysia.
As a sovereign nation, we adopted Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.
Politically, this is correct.
Due to its multiracial population mix and political expediency, the Chinese and Tamil languages were retained as medium of instruction in vernacular schools.
Unfortunately for Malaysia, our colonial language (English) happened to be the most influential economic and political language in the world during the last 150 years. That is the root cause that, even until today, 52 years after Merdeka, we are still haggling over which language we should use to teach our children when they learn science and mathematics in school.
Frankly, we need not know much English to learn maths. It is all figures and equations. As for science, most BM terms are just the original terms spelt according to BM dictation rules (eg. psychology becomes psikologi).
What we mostly overlooked in this debate is the falling standard concerning the comprehension, grammatical and expressive aspects of the English language. This English language is also very idiosyncratic, making it difficult to master. There is only one way to improve our standard of literary English; read a lot of books or articles. The government should now ensure and invest in improving the teaching standard of English where English is taught in schools. There is nothing stopping parents tutoring their own kids in English at home.
So, spare our children the agony and let them learn maths and science in BM, which also served as a unifying language for the various races in Malaysia.
Finally, just step back a little and imagine this.
WHAT IF MALAYSIA WERE A DUTCH OR FRENCH COLONY?
Look at Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, the three big brothers in ASEAN.
The debate of using either Dutch or French as medium of instruction in their schools after gaining independence never existed. All children were taught Bahasa Indonesia or Vietnamese from the onset (kindergarten). What about their grasp of English? Their elites are also very conversant in English. Please read the Bangkok Post and The Nation from Thailand. Poor English? IMHO, better than most Malaysian English papers. What about their journalistic standards? We can only dream of in Malaysia.
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written by Jason, July 09, 2009
written by Jason, July 09, 2009
If Dr M did not resort to racist tactics, bringing up racial issues, and keeping the rakyat divided about race and language issues whenever he felt it was convenient, then the whole of Malaysia, especially our Malay friends, would have matured better and be more open-minded about the English language during his 22 years of rule. He really has no one to blame but himself.
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written by disappointed mother/grandmother, July 10, 2009
written by disappointed mother/grandmother, July 10, 2009
I'm so disappointed & upset with our government's decision in reverting the teaching of maths & science back in mother's tongue & BM!
I had helped my children & their friends with their school work starting from their primary school to Form 5, & I am sure most children would be able to learn science & maths taught in English starting from Standard 3.
One of the advantages of learning maths & science in English is that most reference materials from library or internet are in English, therefore the children can read & understand the references better if they are well verse in English. At the same time, thinking & writing more in English would certainly improve our proficiency in the language.
I therefore fully support Tun Dr. Mahathir in correcting his mistakes & I hope my granddaughter will not be "victimized" by Najib's mistakes!
I had helped my children & their friends with their school work starting from their primary school to Form 5, & I am sure most children would be able to learn science & maths taught in English starting from Standard 3.
One of the advantages of learning maths & science in English is that most reference materials from library or internet are in English, therefore the children can read & understand the references better if they are well verse in English. At the same time, thinking & writing more in English would certainly improve our proficiency in the language.
I therefore fully support Tun Dr. Mahathir in correcting his mistakes & I hope my granddaughter will not be "victimized" by Najib's mistakes!
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written by Not again., July 10, 2009
written by Not again., July 10, 2009
For this once, I support Mahathir. Who is going to translate the wealth of information for Math and Science in English?
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written by Alonso, July 10, 2009
written by Alonso, July 10, 2009
you are a failure mahathir. you are entirely responsible for breeding and cultivating the current bunch of idiots.
blame it on yourself for betraying the rakyat and country.
YOU ARE A FAILURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
blame it on yourself for betraying the rakyat and country.
YOU ARE A FAILURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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written by red_hot_cily, July 10, 2009
written by red_hot_cily, July 10, 2009
why its difficult to get more English speaking teachers????????????????? senang saja nk jawap soalan ini.... reason because , our education policy(BN stupid rotten policy) that emphasize on BAHASA MELAYU in school.... So now you feel the pinch brother Najib!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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written by malaysian at heart, July 10, 2009
written by malaysian at heart, July 10, 2009
written by Koyak, July 09, 2009
Congratulations to Najib for the first screw up
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First screw up??he screwed up alrd the very moment he is in the political world!
Frankly, the rakyat can get really fed up with the government antics. They just don't seem to implement any policy correctly, and implementing it successfully is totally out of the question. To bow so easily to nationalists and language activists just shows that they don't have enough guts to defend this policy! Try to implement it properly instead, and produce a generation that excels in Sc n Tech! This will then automatically shut those activists mouth..But hey, it's the BN government we are talking about..I will be quite happy already if they can at least manage a policy/plan properly..Sadly, I don't think they will be getting anything right..Doing the right thing, and doing things right are both important..But they failed both!
Congratulations to Najib for the first screw up
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First screw up??he screwed up alrd the very moment he is in the political world!
Frankly, the rakyat can get really fed up with the government antics. They just don't seem to implement any policy correctly, and implementing it successfully is totally out of the question. To bow so easily to nationalists and language activists just shows that they don't have enough guts to defend this policy! Try to implement it properly instead, and produce a generation that excels in Sc n Tech! This will then automatically shut those activists mouth..But hey, it's the BN government we are talking about..I will be quite happy already if they can at least manage a policy/plan properly..Sadly, I don't think they will be getting anything right..Doing the right thing, and doing things right are both important..But they failed both!
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written by CheTek, July 10, 2009
written by CheTek, July 10, 2009
MAHATHIR IS STILL THE PM?
Come on. Why still keep on highlighting our past PM. He created a shit policy and many shits and now try to shove it to others or cleaning it up-lah. He is retired and not an official Mentor Minister like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. Let him rest in peace and enjoy his retirement and we move ahead to compete globally.
Why do we still need to be afraid to do what we are supposed to do and bogged down by what Dr M has set up during all his years. Now we see that we are really lacking behind our neighbors like SIngapore, Korea or maybe Thailand. We feel contented by the outlook of Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya or KLIA as symbols that we are developing during Dr M era? They are built by Oil/Rakyat money, did you get it???!!!!! Not because of actual development in Malaysia! See how they BN politicians can do magic to our eyes and we are still worshipping DRM.
Now we know that we have wasted years. We see our neighbours progressed and we are regressing.
Come on. Why still keep on highlighting our past PM. He created a shit policy and many shits and now try to shove it to others or cleaning it up-lah. He is retired and not an official Mentor Minister like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. Let him rest in peace and enjoy his retirement and we move ahead to compete globally.
Why do we still need to be afraid to do what we are supposed to do and bogged down by what Dr M has set up during all his years. Now we see that we are really lacking behind our neighbors like SIngapore, Korea or maybe Thailand. We feel contented by the outlook of Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya or KLIA as symbols that we are developing during Dr M era? They are built by Oil/Rakyat money, did you get it???!!!!! Not because of actual development in Malaysia! See how they BN politicians can do magic to our eyes and we are still worshipping DRM.
Now we know that we have wasted years. We see our neighbours progressed and we are regressing.
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written by English lessons, July 10, 2009
written by English lessons, July 10, 2009
I would say reintroduce the old English schools, then parents will have a choice to send their kids either English, Malay or Vernacular(Chinese/Tamil) schools. I am very sure they will be very popular among parents who want their kids to master the international language properly. I for one will definitely choose an English school for my kids.
Tun Razak made the grave mistake of abolishing full English schools and as a result the standard of English among the younger generation has slipped , indeed their competitiveness in global marketplace has been eroded. We need to reverse the slide.
Tun Razak made the grave mistake of abolishing full English schools and as a result the standard of English among the younger generation has slipped , indeed their competitiveness in global marketplace has been eroded. We need to reverse the slide.
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written by wait till University......, July 10, 2009
written by wait till University......, July 10, 2009
Spare a thought for the kids who actually prefer to learn science and maths in English. They are the ones who will suffer with this stupid policy from the SELFISH Umno politicians. This will make life so much more difficult for them when they enter university where everything is in English.
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written by marbl3s, July 10, 2009
written by marbl3s, July 10, 2009
Whatever. Teach in whatever language you want. I do not believe the Indians nor the Chinese would have any problem learning english by themselves. But please do tell the Malays to stop whining whenever they do not get employed in a MNC company or get promoted in their hiring company ok?
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written by LIEW, July 10, 2009
written by LIEW, July 10, 2009
Its this kind of "flip-flop" policies that drives our nation down. Six years is barely enough to sow the seeds of any form of national initiative let it alone one in language that takes time to master.
In the long run, its our kids in the outback that will end up on the short end of the stick. They are the one that will most likely lose out in this globalized world.
In the long run, its our kids in the outback that will end up on the short end of the stick. They are the one that will most likely lose out in this globalized world.
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written by simon li, July 10, 2009
written by simon li, July 10, 2009
(1) Our teachers need training in English.
Now, this is hilarious - you have to train teachers to teach others something in which the teachers themselves are inadequate? Ho, ho, ho, we are going to have these teachers sit in the same English class as their students to be taught by somebody in the morning and then in the afternoon some of your classmates suddenly metamorphose into becoming your teacher!
(2) Why are our teachers so poor in English?
You scuttle your own ship, then you spend billions to salvage it - Malaysia Boleh!
(3) Employ overseas (England?) teachers to teach English.
Hey, brother, if you read the postings by native speakers on a zillion websites (like sports, etc), you will learn a lot of English - of the wrong type, grammar, spelling, you name it and you've got it. Their own education system is so screwed up that the natives speak and write English the way we speak our own dialects - broken, broken, broken. Just google "perfect participle" and you'll get a zillion teach-English websites (put up by native English teachers!) telling you what that is - which is an invention that the Webster and Oxford dictionaries (just naming two) don't understand.
Sister, the natives themselves don't have enough proficient English teachers to spare you any unless you triple their salaries (in pounds, mind you, not reeenggit) or you end up with third-rate pretend-teachers who come here for a nice holiday flogging fourth-rate wares. But of course, we have lots of Petronas money - while it lasts.
Muck Raking, the buffoon, qualifies as our education minister because ....... hard to say why other than that his pea brain is a little bigger than ...... hard to say what.
But if you live in a circus, you have to live with them clowns, don't you?
Now, this is hilarious - you have to train teachers to teach others something in which the teachers themselves are inadequate? Ho, ho, ho, we are going to have these teachers sit in the same English class as their students to be taught by somebody in the morning and then in the afternoon some of your classmates suddenly metamorphose into becoming your teacher!
(2) Why are our teachers so poor in English?
You scuttle your own ship, then you spend billions to salvage it - Malaysia Boleh!
(3) Employ overseas (England?) teachers to teach English.
Hey, brother, if you read the postings by native speakers on a zillion websites (like sports, etc), you will learn a lot of English - of the wrong type, grammar, spelling, you name it and you've got it. Their own education system is so screwed up that the natives speak and write English the way we speak our own dialects - broken, broken, broken. Just google "perfect participle" and you'll get a zillion teach-English websites (put up by native English teachers!) telling you what that is - which is an invention that the Webster and Oxford dictionaries (just naming two) don't understand.
Sister, the natives themselves don't have enough proficient English teachers to spare you any unless you triple their salaries (in pounds, mind you, not reeenggit) or you end up with third-rate pretend-teachers who come here for a nice holiday flogging fourth-rate wares. But of course, we have lots of Petronas money - while it lasts.
Muck Raking, the buffoon, qualifies as our education minister because ....... hard to say why other than that his pea brain is a little bigger than ...... hard to say what.
But if you live in a circus, you have to live with them clowns, don't you?
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written by ex umno, July 10, 2009
written by ex umno, July 10, 2009
Simple mathematic will tell us why the PPSMI must be retained.
weekly sholl time table. Maths=120 minutes, science=120 minutes, english=180 minutes, total=420 of learning english.
Which student will learn much more of english?. abolish PPSMI you get 180 minutes per week of english lesson against 420 mintues per week.
Base on this argument the chinese primary school insist of having maths and science to be taught in mandrin.
weekly sholl time table. Maths=120 minutes, science=120 minutes, english=180 minutes, total=420 of learning english.
Which student will learn much more of english?. abolish PPSMI you get 180 minutes per week of english lesson against 420 mintues per week.
Base on this argument the chinese primary school insist of having maths and science to be taught in mandrin.
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written by terminator, July 10, 2009
written by terminator, July 10, 2009
TUN,
You have all Malaysian parents support on this issue. Go ahead Tun and make our childrens future brighter.
You have all Malaysian parents support on this issue. Go ahead Tun and make our childrens future brighter.
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written by Kenny, July 10, 2009
written by Kenny, July 10, 2009
I fully agreed with TDM:
"He had suggested the government at least keep English as the medium of instruction for secondary schools"
If they switch to BM and Chinese/Tamil at primary school level I can still understand the rationale but why the policy change includes secondary-SMK? After six years of primary education all should be ready to learn these two subjects in English in SMK. If not then government should target and work on those problematic schools/students but please do not expect others to slow down and wait for them!
Government should at least provide an option (between English & BM) for students/parents to choose at secondary level. What's wrong to print the text books and exam papers in two languages. Let those schools/students who have no issue in mastering in English to move on. I really cannot understand why are we moving two steps backwards after government has put in so much effort & resource and many students are already getting the benefits from this policy in the last six years!
"He had suggested the government at least keep English as the medium of instruction for secondary schools"
If they switch to BM and Chinese/Tamil at primary school level I can still understand the rationale but why the policy change includes secondary-SMK? After six years of primary education all should be ready to learn these two subjects in English in SMK. If not then government should target and work on those problematic schools/students but please do not expect others to slow down and wait for them!
Government should at least provide an option (between English & BM) for students/parents to choose at secondary level. What's wrong to print the text books and exam papers in two languages. Let those schools/students who have no issue in mastering in English to move on. I really cannot understand why are we moving two steps backwards after government has put in so much effort & resource and many students are already getting the benefits from this policy in the last six years!
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written by mahasitua, July 10, 2009
written by mahasitua, July 10, 2009
To Tan Sri Muhyiddin, your reasoning to discontinue the teaching of Maths and Science in English is a lame excuse. When the government decided to use BM as the medium of instruction, the non Malays had initial problems adjusting resulting to many students who sat for the SPM obtaining grade 2 certificates despite getting aggregate of 7 or 8 on the best 6 subjects. This was due to the student getting a P7 or P8 for the BM subject. But the non Malays ploded on and study hard and met the challenge head on . Today you can see that the non Malays have mastered BM equally well as the Malays themselves.
Tan Sri, if you are sincere to make Malaysia a world class education centre, please re-consider.
Just for your info, I used to hold high expection of you personally when you were the Johor Menteri Besar. Now , as the DPM, your policies and actions had made me and many others cringe just to hear your name.
Tan Sri, if you are sincere to make Malaysia a world class education centre, please re-consider.
Just for your info, I used to hold high expection of you personally when you were the Johor Menteri Besar. Now , as the DPM, your policies and actions had made me and many others cringe just to hear your name.
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written by TTS, July 10, 2009
written by TTS, July 10, 2009
1Malaysia failed to deliver, ignoring majority voices of Malaysian. Go to TDM blog to vote and let see what he can do....Vote wisely pls.
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written by ch1514g, July 10, 2009
written by ch1514g, July 10, 2009
Yes, I also agree, and would like to add a bit more.
Primary school - mother tongue
Secondary School (Form 1,2 & 3)- English
Secondary School - (Form 4 & 5) English (2 more subjects)
Primary school - mother tongue
Secondary School (Form 1,2 & 3)- English
Secondary School - (Form 4 & 5) English (2 more subjects)
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written by PM, July 10, 2009
written by PM, July 10, 2009
This reverse in policy means the govt is preparing future Malaysians to be labourers, maids and drivers in other people's countries. Having implemented this half-baked policy, I have no doubt that BN/UMNO policiticians will send their children and grandchildren overseas for their studies.
So before all this becomes reality, we should act by kicking out the BN govt in the next GE. Besides corruption, they have now proven to be incompetent as well.
So before all this becomes reality, we should act by kicking out the BN govt in the next GE. Besides corruption, they have now proven to be incompetent as well.
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written by chinese malaysian, July 10, 2009
written by chinese malaysian, July 10, 2009
see what happened when the Govt teaches English in Bahasa Melayu....for 30 years...
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written by Rakyat, July 10, 2009
written by Rakyat, July 10, 2009
TDM you brought this whole mess to the RAKYAT. So stop looking outside and blame the whole world for everyhting that is not going right in Malaysia. Look at the Man in the Mirror (you got no mirror in the house, we the RAKYAT can buy for you one). You've aged but not wisely. When you meet the Creator one day, you shall pay your dues!
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written by Concerned Citizen, July 10, 2009
written by Concerned Citizen, July 10, 2009
The government should have looked at the experiences of other countries. Take the example of India which had laid emphasis on their national language, Hindi. However many states in that country refused especially those in the South and they continued to have private educational institutions in English. With the advent of the IT revolution the southern states benefited as most of the migrants as well as the outsource companies are from these states. Their graduates are able to command premium salaries. English education saved the southern Indians for otherwise they would have joined the ranks of the unemployed.
Let us hope the Malaysian government allows the private educational institutions to have their choice of medium of instruction in English with Malay as the compulsory subject. A certificate for the Malay language can be awarded to those who pass the Malay language exam. Then, there will be competition between the national schools and the private schools and we can see which system meets the needs of the market place.
Then at least Tun can rest assured his efforts has not been in vain. One perplexing point is why does the DPM say Tun agreed with the changes? The lesson to be learned is that never make policy decisions based on emotions but on facts and reasoning.
Let us hope the Malaysian government allows the private educational institutions to have their choice of medium of instruction in English with Malay as the compulsory subject. A certificate for the Malay language can be awarded to those who pass the Malay language exam. Then, there will be competition between the national schools and the private schools and we can see which system meets the needs of the market place.
Then at least Tun can rest assured his efforts has not been in vain. One perplexing point is why does the DPM say Tun agreed with the changes? The lesson to be learned is that never make policy decisions based on emotions but on facts and reasoning.
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written by totally unhappy, July 10, 2009
written by totally unhappy, July 10, 2009
Every time we have a "new"education minister, something MUST change in the education system for the sake of change. Doesn't matter whether it is for better or worse. It seems that "the guy"just need to make his mark. At the end of the day, the students suffer the most. These chaps have had not learn from the lessons when we decided to implement Bahasa language and take away English. How can our graduates compete with the outside world? Are we going to keep them in Malaysia and Indonesia only? Really, really crazy when we have people like that running the country.
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written by V.Giri Mudeliar, July 10, 2009
written by V.Giri Mudeliar, July 10, 2009
What an insane move. Minister YM please do not politicise this issue. You know as well as 75 % of Malaysians that Maths and Science are the very backbone of our industrialised world. To cater for a few you have denied the majority of Malaysians and the future generation a place in the world. It is all very well know that a certain portion of Malaysian society will always want the path of least resistance. Minister YM you have succumed to this without any thought and moral resistance. The path to degredationhas been paved by you and with generations of Malaysians you will have the dubious honour of being called ' knave of education'. Detest from this policy. It is not too late to rectify what you know is abundantly WRONG. Catch the cudgels aimed by a minority and do what is RIGHT.
Remember that always sailing in calm waters never a sailor made.
The true answer will be in 2013. Change now or bye-bye minister ym. (the small letters are intentional)
Remember that always sailing in calm waters never a sailor made.
The true answer will be in 2013. Change now or bye-bye minister ym. (the small letters are intentional)
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written by totally unhappy, July 10, 2009
written by totally unhappy, July 10, 2009
If the country is short of "teachers"who command good English, the only BLAME is the so call leaders of this country, not visionary enough. What ever you want to do, think and evaluate first. The future of the country lies there. For God's sake, wake up.
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written by PH Chin, July 10, 2009
written by PH Chin, July 10, 2009
The last count at Che Det's poll revealed 27,209 voted with 81% of the voters do not support the government's decision to teach Maths and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.
Is this the 1Malaysia our PM is championing for, people first, performance now ? It seems to me more like people last, government first.
Is this the 1Malaysia our PM is championing for, people first, performance now ? It seems to me more like people last, government first.
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written by Mat Kasim, July 10, 2009
written by Mat Kasim, July 10, 2009
I fully support the Cabinet's decision as it is in line with the notion of 1 Malaysia and Ketuanan Melayu first.
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written by syeikh-alwi, July 10, 2009
written by syeikh-alwi, July 10, 2009
there is still Malaysian that cannot speak in National Languages. after 52 years be independent but Bahasa more deniable than acceptable. that's Malaysia nowaday.
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written by SHEIKH-ALWI, July 10, 2009
written by SHEIKH-ALWI, July 10, 2009
i don't agree either Mahathir or Najib. PPSMI ia idea of Mahathir, but how to teach English in rural area is very hard to accepted unless those teacher already well train.
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written by jonnnnnn, July 10, 2009
written by jonnnnnn, July 10, 2009
Look at the minds of those who rule the National Front (BN) government of Malaysia. They just cant think what are the negative implications we the citizens have to endure. National Front politicians are just selfish, thinking of their political agendas alone behind all changes they introduce. But what about making us a COMPETENT race of Malaysians? Education in Malay will bring us nowhere in this era of globalisation, English however will. What is the point of being smart and intelligent but only able to communicate your ideas in your God-given brain using the Malay Language? Won't we not be able to be competent internationally? They should realise that they are either creating INCOMPETENT Malaysians, or causing the inherently competent ones to leave the country and pursue a brighter future in other nations like Singapore, US, UK or Australia.
To the national front government of Malaysia, think about this.
To the national front government of Malaysia, think about this.
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written by jonnnnnn, July 10, 2009
written by jonnnnnn, July 10, 2009
Look at the comments of some of our readers. Even their english is broken with bad grammar, tenses and spelling. How are we to produce a competent race if we are not taught in English by well-trained teachers? This is the product of our INCOMPETENT National Front (BN) government of Malaysia after 50+ years of ruling.
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written by X-b.END, July 10, 2009
No wonder the Ministers themselves send thier kids abroad to study & complete thier tertiary education. Even thier kids look down on our local University.
written by X-b.END, July 10, 2009
No wonder the Ministers themselves send thier kids abroad to study & complete thier tertiary education. Even thier kids look down on our local University.
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written by RAKYAT, July 10, 2009
written by RAKYAT, July 10, 2009
First thing first. Mr. PM pls realize when you hire dropouts and poor performers in colleges to become teachers, what you expect in terms of standard......1st mistake. 2nd mistake...... you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. So this half baked buffoons we call 'teachers' are happily resorting to teach tuition. You think they can pay attention to the kidz in the school. Nowadays tuition are open till 11 pm, obviously these so called 'teachers' are tired and dont perform to the mark.
Aiyo! Why our ministers are so stupid? Pay the teachers well....you get top scorers from Uni becoming teachers and also pay the police well....reduce corruption and they'll stop behaving like Polis Raja Di M'sia (Gangster like! )
Aiyo! Why our ministers are so stupid? Pay the teachers well....you get top scorers from Uni becoming teachers and also pay the police well....reduce corruption and they'll stop behaving like Polis Raja Di M'sia (Gangster like! )
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