The Malaysian Insight

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today clarified that the government has yet to decide on reviving the teaching of science and mathematics in English policy (PPSMI).

Dr Mahathir, who is also acting education minister, said his recent remarks on giving more emphasis to the teaching of the two subjects in English were merely part of a discussion with ministry officials.

“Actually, the government has yet to decide, and we have yet to agree on teaching maths and science in the English language. I was having a discussion with Education Ministry staff on the idea, but somehow, the conversation was exposed,” he told the media in Putrajaya.

“We are still considering, and a decision will be made by the cabinet. We will decide by the majority.”

He added that Malaysians must master the English language for the country to develop.

“Without English, we are not going to move forward, we will be left behind. There are many reasons why we must master the language.

“Science is not like the history subject. Science evolves, and every day, we have new words as we discover new things, and the words are all in English.”

He said he welcomes other opinions, and there is no restriction on public comments on the matter.

“You can write long articles to condemn it. The public can talk about it. There is no restriction.”

PPSMI was introduced in 2002 during Dr Mahathir’s first stint as prime minister. It was pushed through despite protests from vernacular school supporters, educators and parents.

The policy was intended to arrest the declining English proficiency among students, particularly Malays. It was abolished in 2009, when Najib Razak took over as prime minister.

At present, students in some schools learn science and mathematics in English under the voluntary Dual Language Programme. – February 6, 2020.