By Neville Spykerman
KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the PPSMI policy of teaching mathematics and science in English should continue at all levels as additional classes after school hours.
The former Selangor mentri besar said the Education Ministry should consider seriously his proposal, which he had earlier suggested in his blog in December.
In his latest blog post, Khir said that considering the huge government expense on PPSMI, the policy should be exploited to the maximum rather than being completely abandoned.
“I suggest additional classes of between two and three hours a week, starting from standard one, be held.”
He said additional allowances given to teachers involved in PPSMI should be retained on the condition they allocate additional time, a few hours a week to continue to teach after school.
“In this way students will get the maximum benefit of mastering English as well as mathematics and science in the language.”
He said if the crux of the issue was the standard of English, then the subject’s syllabus should be revamped and new approaches must be found, including introducing English literature at an early age.
He added the quality of English teachers should also be improved.
“If needed, foreign teachers who specialise in teaching English as a second language should be sent to each state and district to train local teachers.”
In the same breath, Khir said he supported the government’s move to discontinue the policy introduced by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“I believe the move was part of his (Mahathir) vision of a greater Malaysia and I understand his disappointment” he said, adding that not all plans for grandeur can be implemented.
Khir expressed his thanks to Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for removing this obstacle, which was preventing rural students from grasping basic mathematics and science.
He said those who oppose the discontinuation of PPSMI must understand that rural students are fairing poorer today, not only in English but in mathematics and science.
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written by BKWoo, July 11, 2009
written by BKWoo, July 11, 2009
I do not understand why the relatively poor performance of rural students (as often quoted) must hold back the potential achievements of urban students to make a better Malaysia, a Malaysia which can communicate and compete successfully with its trading partners. If the concept of 1Malaysia is to shackle our bright young minds of all races to those under-achievers in order to produce a "fair" society, then the concept is questionable.
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written by MindlessMalaysian, July 11, 2009
written by MindlessMalaysian, July 11, 2009
pandai lah - torture the kids with more work all because our education minister and ministry is dysfunctional.
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written by Under current, July 11, 2009
written by Under current, July 11, 2009
Ali Rustam's handicap was that he is not proficient in English. Abolishing PPSMI is a sure way of maintaining the status quo in UMNO.
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written by Ex Umno, July 11, 2009
written by Ex Umno, July 11, 2009
Khir is afraid of TDM on questioning him on he managed to collect such huge wealth in such a low time frame. TDM after 22 years as PM also did not own such expensive property.
Khir is trying to angkat TDM on the issue of PPSMI. Why Mukhris is so quite on the PPSMI unlike his father!!!.
Khir is trying to angkat TDM on the issue of PPSMI. Why Mukhris is so quite on the PPSMI unlike his father!!!.
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written by Ari, July 11, 2009
written by Ari, July 11, 2009
"are fairing poorer today ...." I'm not sure whether this is a direct quote from Dr Khir Toyo or is an error on the part of Spykerman but what I'm sure is that we need to improve our English and therefore, we need PPMSI.
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written by KepongBoy, July 11, 2009
written by KepongBoy, July 11, 2009
This is the way for those current educated Umnoputras to continue to hold on power as their sons & daughters goes to private school and overseas and leave the rest of rural folks still communicating in poor English. That's why we have sons and daughters of former Umno leaders now in power BUT come GE13 we shall have PR in place...Three cheers for PR and then PR can change again that policy back to English.
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written by SHEIKH-ALWI, July 11, 2009
written by SHEIKH-ALWI, July 11, 2009
Mr Khir..under UMNO not just Malay poor in English but also poor in life.
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written by wkc, July 11, 2009
written by wkc, July 11, 2009
What do you know about education ? The only thing you know about is "management of public funds" to your advantage. Disneyland, Hawaii, RM24m palace, Balkis funds, just to mention a few current ones. The sums that disappeared through your hands are more than enough for any new education plans or scholarships nationwide. Cut the crap and prepare for your day of reckoning, PENDATANG !
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written by zackeye, July 11, 2009
written by zackeye, July 11, 2009
What is he talking about. In the morning teach the students Maths and Science in Malay/Mandarin/Tamil. Then in the afternoon teach them the same thing in English. What about answering the exams? Can the students answer in rojak language?
He himself need to learn mathematics perhaps in Javanese. As TDM said he must have calculated wrongly to built such a big house at only RM 3.5 million whereas TDM bought a smaller house is already at RM 1 million. May be if the investigation proves that the house is indeed in excess of RM 3.5 million he will shift the blame to the press for wrongly inserting the decimal point which should be RM 35 million.
He himself need to learn mathematics perhaps in Javanese. As TDM said he must have calculated wrongly to built such a big house at only RM 3.5 million whereas TDM bought a smaller house is already at RM 1 million. May be if the investigation proves that the house is indeed in excess of RM 3.5 million he will shift the blame to the press for wrongly inserting the decimal point which should be RM 35 million.
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written by Kilo, July 11, 2009
written by Kilo, July 11, 2009
Why do we have to bother about this Toyo? What does he know about education?
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written by Lee Poh Yoke, July 11, 2009
written by Lee Poh Yoke, July 11, 2009
I am not sure which school his children attended but the ones that my children went to had classes packed to the brim with pupils and they had both morning and afternoon sessions. The classrooms were run down and dusty, toilets were dirty and overflowing and I heard that some teachers gave tuition in the afternoons to their students. First and foremost they would not have the facilities to run extra classes for everyone, from standard one, in the afternoon. This is the kind of insult, added to injury, that we tax payers have to put up with as all these rich ministers or ex-minsters make stupid comments without knowing how we live. How did they spend their time as civil servants, supposedly trying to serve us?
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written by malaysia born, July 11, 2009
written by malaysia born, July 11, 2009
If only everyone could jusr see through this guy ploy........trying to distract attention away from his bungalow.
It's what the locals call 'wayang kulit'.
It's what the locals call 'wayang kulit'.
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written by pttan, July 11, 2009
written by pttan, July 11, 2009
After 2 generations of NEP mentality, the crutch must be held on, even subconciously. Since the 'rural' studnets cannot cope with the new world order, the rest of the country must slow down for them. No difference from denying licences and opportunities and putting obstacles to the non bumis NEP.
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written by Tun Rasuah, July 11, 2009
written by Tun Rasuah, July 11, 2009
Sudah- lah,Disney Khir Toyo,please continue to hoodwink the simple,honest,
hard-working farmers at Sg.Panjang that they continue giving you blind support.
While these poor farmers toil their fields,you get to visit Orlando Disney-land with
your wife,children and maid costing Selangor Taxpayers RM1.7million.
While you build an Istana at Shah Alam costing RM24 million with your,so claimed,
2 terms CM salalry,what crediblelity do you have to preach about education and
to discontinue teaching English in Maths and Science.Dont try to act and talk smart
when you are not,people has already judged you of what you are and not what you
know,other than semua-mya ok.Be very careful,even Tun Dr.M has already asked you
to explain where you got your money to build such an expensive istana,when as a
PM for 22 yrs,his mansion at the Mines cost only RM1 million.
hard-working farmers at Sg.Panjang that they continue giving you blind support.
While these poor farmers toil their fields,you get to visit Orlando Disney-land with
your wife,children and maid costing Selangor Taxpayers RM1.7million.
While you build an Istana at Shah Alam costing RM24 million with your,so claimed,
2 terms CM salalry,what crediblelity do you have to preach about education and
to discontinue teaching English in Maths and Science.Dont try to act and talk smart
when you are not,people has already judged you of what you are and not what you
know,other than semua-mya ok.Be very careful,even Tun Dr.M has already asked you
to explain where you got your money to build such an expensive istana,when as a
PM for 22 yrs,his mansion at the Mines cost only RM1 million.
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written by Ed, July 11, 2009
written by Ed, July 11, 2009
Isn't that great? Sacrifising our the future of our kids for the sake of getting better result now. Why not ban chinese, tamil, english and all use arabics?
As always, brainless and useless government will only give you totally hopeless policy. This is the product of the quota-based education policy, and we can't really ask for more from all these ministers. Garbage-in-Gabage-out, wana see one?
As always, brainless and useless government will only give you totally hopeless policy. This is the product of the quota-based education policy, and we can't really ask for more from all these ministers. Garbage-in-Gabage-out, wana see one?
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written by ablastine, July 12, 2009
written by ablastine, July 12, 2009
Hi Khir,
Will you sell your house at 4 million to me when it is as you said only value at 3.5 million. Make a cool $500 000.
Will you sell your house at 4 million to me when it is as you said only value at 3.5 million. Make a cool $500 000.
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written by Malaysia Overseas, July 12, 2009
written by Malaysia Overseas, July 12, 2009
This is idiotic nonsense spoken by a uneducated man. If he thinks this is a good idea,
he should sell his bloody $24 million house and pay for this.
he should sell his bloody $24 million house and pay for this.
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written by Myno, July 12, 2009
written by Myno, July 12, 2009
For goodness can someone please argue with some facts and figures? Since the introduction of PPSMI has there been improvement in the English standard among the students? Has the M&S results been affected in anyway? The bottom line is does PPSMI effective in raising the standard of English among the students?
Why not just start PPSMI in secondary schools like before?
Why not just start PPSMI in secondary schools like before?
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written by qamalhamzah, July 12, 2009
written by qamalhamzah, July 12, 2009
after school hours?...hey...Mansion Khir...you really think our teachers are as lucky as you meh...so loaded ah...they have their obligations to attend to after work lah....don't treat them as cows lah
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written by Enough, July 12, 2009
written by Enough, July 12, 2009
Don't give us those sub- intelligence comments. When are you going to return those ill gotten gains -that is what the people are interested.
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written by Doom, July 12, 2009
written by Doom, July 12, 2009
Why must compare the urban & the rural student's performance. Does all the human have the same clever brain? Does everybody get the chances to go Disneyland? Does everybody capable of building a mansion? This is not the way to improve the rural student performance by sacrifying & preventing urban student from improving. Govt is fooling around with this kid's future.
The fact is because of Govt poor policy & system in the rural area. Parent attitude toward their children education also play an important role. Please study this point of view. Compare the rural & urban parent mindset. Please get your man to work & don't be lazy. We cannot stop people from progressing. 1 MALAYSIA CONCEPT IS VERY VERY QUESTIONABLE..GOVT should go & improve the rural area system & policy...not by this decision...This show how mindless, lazy, no common sense the people who run our country are.
The fact is because of Govt poor policy & system in the rural area. Parent attitude toward their children education also play an important role. Please study this point of view. Compare the rural & urban parent mindset. Please get your man to work & don't be lazy. We cannot stop people from progressing. 1 MALAYSIA CONCEPT IS VERY VERY QUESTIONABLE..GOVT should go & improve the rural area system & policy...not by this decision...This show how mindless, lazy, no common sense the people who run our country are.
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written by JFD, July 13, 2009
written by JFD, July 13, 2009
Constant change, upheavals, reversals, etc., is in the nature of all things. Sometimes it is natural, sometimes man-made. Sometimes in you favor, sometimes not.
No point making noise. Instead, adjust, adapt, and take advantage of the situation. Change creates opportunities; opportunities to learn, to grow, and to expand.
If there is any kind of problem, it is not with Science, Mathematics, Bahasa or English. The problem, if any, is pride.
No point making noise. Instead, adjust, adapt, and take advantage of the situation. Change creates opportunities; opportunities to learn, to grow, and to expand.
If there is any kind of problem, it is not with Science, Mathematics, Bahasa or English. The problem, if any, is pride.
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written by Lee, July 13, 2009
written by Lee, July 13, 2009
For example,
Just because last year SPM result is poor,
the BN-led goverment decided to pull down the standard of this year exam,
so every one can achieve a better result this year.
Sounds wrong?
cuz it is wrong!
Now put that scenario with the one we are having with PPSMI now,
sounds wrong? It is wrong also!
Just because last year SPM result is poor,
the BN-led goverment decided to pull down the standard of this year exam,
so every one can achieve a better result this year.
Sounds wrong?
cuz it is wrong!
Now put that scenario with the one we are having with PPSMI now,
sounds wrong? It is wrong also!
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written by Parent, July 15, 2009
written by Parent, July 15, 2009
Please don't always use rural students as an excuses to abolish the PPSMI. The ministry already know the roots cause, then they should improve or find a better solution to help those in rurals and not ask the urban students to step backwards and wait for them. In the future, children who use english more will said "I hate Goverment". This is a word that I heard from a standard two student when she know about the abolishment of PPSMI.
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written by pete, July 18, 2009
written by pete, July 18, 2009
After school hours? Poor kids. Should they suffer because of one really stupid decision that they had nothing to do with?
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written by Salak, July 18, 2009
written by Salak, July 18, 2009
There's an old wives' tale that in Indonesia during the rule of Suharto, the word "sorry" or its equivalent in Javanese did not exist or was expunged. I don't trust this Khir Toyo. He might expunge more than one, including the word "apologise" from the English language. He might even ban people from saying "oops"!
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