KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — MCA moved today to back Putrajaya in scrapping PPSMI (teaching and learning of mathematics and science in English) but suggested that English be turned into a compulsory pass subject like Bahasa Malaysia in the SPM examination.Currently, Form Five students have to pass Bahasa Malaysia and history to receive their SPM certificate.
The party also suggested making English literature a compulsory subject in schools to add emphasis on the usage of the language, saying it would help Malaysians “keep up with the rest of the world”.
“The government has listened to the voices of the rakyat in coming up with the win-win situation for all stakeholders concerned.
“It is however the fervent hope of the MCA that the Ministry of Education put emphasis on the usage of English to equip Malaysians with the universal language to keep up with the rest of the world,” MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said in a statement today.
Dr Chua was responding to Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement yesterday that students who have already been using PPSMI may continue with it until they complete their secondary education.
But the deputy prime minister stressed that this did not mean the government was making a U-turn in its decision to scrap the policy.
He explained the decision meant that students between Year Three and Form Five next year would be given the option to learn science and maths in Bahasa Malaysia, English or both until they complete their primary and secondary education.
But this year’s Year One students, the first batch to undergo MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening Command of English), would have to continue learning the two subjects in Bahasa Malaysia when they enter Year Two, he said.
“The MCA would like to reaffirm its stand that all Malaysians should be multi-lingual by being well versed in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin to ensure we are more competitive in the globalised world.
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