Why PPSMI Should Continue: Archives

News
Archives
Business
Sport
Metro
Tech
Lifestyle
Opinion
Videos
Property
Jobs
Autos
More
Home > Archives
Tuesday October 16, 2012
Why PPSMI should continue
ROADSHOWS are being held to gather feedback from the public on the recently
released Preliminary Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
It is with this understanding that I am writing this appeal letter on PPSMI (The
Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English).
ADVERTISEMENT
I know that much has been propounded on PPSMI during the many roundtable
discussions and town hall meetings prior to the release of the blueprint.
However, all the 11 shifts of reforms documented have not referred to it. The
nearest we got was Benchmark Science and Mathematics to international
standards.
I hope there is still time for the powers-that-be to revisit the issue.
Stay updated daily with our FREE email alerts
your e-mail address
Subscribe
By clicking on the Subscribe button, it is

deemed that you consent to our terms.
View Sample
It is not about a U-turn, flip-flop or even face-saving.

It is about the best and proven route to put our Science and Mathematics at
international standards.
Most Viewed
A dark, secret life revealed
This letter will not dwell on the pros and cons of PPSMI; that has already been
dealt with many times over. Instead it proposes what next to be done given the
present situation and sentiment.
We want our schoolchildren to be on par with the best in the world and grow up to
be globally confident, competent and competitive.
First, continue to offer PPSMI option at the primary level. The argument that
children learn best in the beginning using their mother tongues is easily debunked
for we continue to rightly subscribe that our national schools (sekolah
kebangsaan) are the best avenue to help foster national unity and should be the
first choice of school for our children from different ethnicities.
The Education Ministry and the many vernacular schools advocates and
enthusiasts may be surprised at the outcome if parents/pupils are given the
choice of language in Science and Mathematics.
And, I am not just talking about parents residing in the urban areas. Many,
irrespective of their locality, want more exposure hours in English for their children
so that they can improve their proficiency.
Given time, PPSMI may even become the preferred choice across all primary
schools.
Girl brought to scene of crime

The 3+1 factor hitting the ringgit
Painful yet useful reform
Tapah murders: Police look for clues underground
Cigarette prices to go up tomorrow
Gani Patail: Im all right
Husband believes missing headmistress still alive
after footprints found
'Bleeding' painting, statue draw Catholics from
across Malaysia
Zahid: Over 40,000 centenarians in Malaysia, most
are Chinese
Latest News
Maldives declares state of
emergency as turmoil deepens
Egypt's Sisi says Britain, other NATO
members must do more in Libya
Second, teach Science and Mathematics in English from Form One onwards.
This is a realistic approach, taking cognizance of the present sentiment on the
ground (albeit changeable) and the unfortunate political expediency that make it
difficult to enforce the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English in
primary schools right now.
However, with the on-going policy of Upholding Bahasa Malaysia and
Strengthening English (MBMMBI) expected to bear fruit, can we not be optimistic
that English proficiency will increase by the time students reach Form One, thus
making them ready for Science and Mathematics in English?
Maldives declares state of emergency

Pakatan Harapan to proceed with
naming new 1MDB debater
South Sudan plane crash kills at least 41 on board
and on ground
Trending in People
A 72-year-old retiree just ran his
40th New York marathon
With the basics firmly grasped after six years of primary English, learning Science
and Mathematics in English in secondary school should be manageable and,
certainly more so for those who have opted for PPSMI while in primary.
These small innovations make life a

whole lot better
This way our students will be able to access the whole world of English Science
and Mathematics and on route to international standards.
Living with HIV, Moon wants to

share her story
Third, the ministry continues to train teachers to teach Science and Mathematics
in English. This will help build teachers competence and confidence in English
Science and Mathematics.
Ayyy!: The Fonz aka Henry Winkler

is now 70
Vast resources are readily available. Besides if option in primary is offered and
PPSMI be the option in secondary, we will need more English Science and
Mathematics teachers in the years ahead.
Trust that many dedicated and committed Science and Mathematics teachers
want to be proficient in English Science and Mathematics; they know deep inside
that with English they will be more versatile and better able to help their charges.
Fourth, school administrators, education officers at district, state and ministry
level continue to genuinely and earnestly facilitate the teaching and learning of
Science and Mathematics in English.
Yes, many of them are the products of a school system that used Bahasa
Malaysia as its main medium of instruction and are therefore more comfortable
with Bahasa Malaysia.
Nevertheless, many believe in PPSMI. Some may even be privately doing it for
their own children.
But, publicly, to preserve their position and standing, they do otherwise.
If they have been disadvantaged, let them not pass it on to theirs and others
children.
Our
Sites
Share
More
They should look and think globally, act with vision and conscience and facilitate
what is best for our future generation.
Depression: I thank God when I can
Powered by
Topics
TPP
1MDB
Investment Guide
Global Malaysians
Asean
Unauthorized
This server could not verify that you
are authorized to access the
document requested. Either you
supplied the wrong credentials (e.g.,
bad password), or your browser
doesn't understand how to supply
EVERY 5 MINUTES
the credentialsUPDATED
required.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error
Last but not least, let those powers-that-be not take us who advocate PPSMI to be
anglophiles, coming from English-speaking families and not fully understanding
the plights of the rural folks and students.
I have written before and may I repeat here that in the beginning, none of the socalled English-speaking families spoke English at home. It is a father, a
grandfather or a
forefather who had got the vision and was convinced that the English language
was global and important, and who then boldly decided to make a switch in the
family language.
Today, their children and their childrens children, if they have been as
hardworking, diligent and steadfast, and have all the qualities and traits of their
pioneering fore-fathers, they can easily find themselves qualified and accessible
ADVERTISEMENT
to all arenas of knowledge and skills, and professions the world has to offer.
The world does not owe us a living and neither will it wait for us. This should be
the overarching guiding principle when we put the final touches to our Education
Blueprint 2013-2025.
LIONG KAM CHONG
Seremban
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
ADVERTISEMENT
What you missed
Good news for renters,

not so much for buyers
Toddlers foot caught in

escalator at Suria KLCC
Panjang causes a stir

in Melbourne
Scary pickup for Rajinis

driver
Girl: Ive been naughty
SITE MAP
SUBSCRIPTIONS
COMPANY INFO
OUR SITES
SEARCH THE STAR ONLINE
Home
The Star newspaper
About Us
Star2.com
Search
Videos
Other Publications
Contact Us
myStarjob.com
News
RSS Feeds
Job Opportunities
Carsifu
Business
OTHER EDITIONS
Investor Relations
StarProperty.my
Sport
ePaper
FAQs
Propwall
Metro
Mobile
ADVERTISING
iBilik
Lifestyle
SMS Services
View Our Rate Card
Star SMEBiz
MAGAZINES
POLICIES
Kuntum
Privacy Statement
Flavours
Terms of Use
Tech
Opinion
R.AGE
mStar
Kuali
Leaderonomics
TheStarTV.com
Powered by
Content Partners
Our Radio Stations
Copyright 1995-2015 Star Media Group Berhad (ROC 10894D)

(Formerly known as Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad)
CONNECT WITH US
Amber Chia: Rajinikanth

didn't hijack my limo

Why PPSMI Should Continue: Archives

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Why PPSMI Should Continue: Archives

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Why PPSMI Should Continue: Archives

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

News

Home > Archives

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Why PPSMI should continue

Stay updated daily with our FREE email alerts

your e-mail address

By clicking on the Subscribe button, it is

It is not about a U-turn, flip-flop or even face-saving.

Girl brought to scene of crime

Maldives declares state of emergency

These small innovations make life a

Living with HIV, Moon wants to

Ayyy!: The Fonz aka Henry Winkler

Depression: I thank God when I can

What you missed

Good news for renters,

Toddlers foot caught in

Panjang causes a stir

Scary pickup for Rajinis

Girl: Ive been naughty

SEARCH THE STAR ONLINE

The Star newspaper

View Our Rate Card

Our Radio Stations

Copyright 1995-2015 Star Media Group Berhad (ROC 10894D)

Amber Chia: Rajinikanth

You might also like