Making another pitch for PPSMI

In its third memorandum to the prime minister, PAGE provides evidence of the PPSMI's success and appeals that the issue stop being politicised.

PETALING JAYA: The Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) today submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in a fortified attempt to halt the abolishment of the Teaching and Learning of Science and Maths in English (PPSMI).

Also included in the memorandum were Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, secretary-general Rosli Mohamed in the Education Ministry, ministers in the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) as well as National Key Economic Area (NKEA) education director Tengku Azian Shahriman.

The PPSMI controversy has been raging for the past two years since Muhyiddin announced its replacement with another policy of upholding the Malay language and strenghtening the command of English (MBMMBI).

The uproar sparked by the policy reversal has continued to this day with even students now joining in the protests.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin confirmed that students will not be able to choose between English or Malay as the medium of instruction for the learning of Science and Maths.

In its third memorandum to Najib since its formation, PAGE pointed out that evidence of the PPSMI’s success could be seen in the UPSR, PMR and SPM results over the years.

“The highest passing rate in Science and Maths was in 2007 while the lowest was in 2001 before the PPSMI was implemented,” said PAGE chairman, Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.

“The highest passing rate in English was recorded in 2008 while there have been no signs of any adverse effect on the passing rate in Bahasa Malaysia.”

False accusations

The memorandum was further accompanied by figures and charts which also showed a marked improvement in the performance in Science and Maths among rural students.

PAGE noted that these findings have debunked the government’s claim that the PPSMI had weakened the performance of students in these areas as compared to their urban peers.

“PPSMI has not only boosted the level of English but also the performance of students in rural areas,”

Azimah emphasied. “The false accusations of extremist groups must be halted because their assumptions will only jeopardise the dignity of our race and country.”

Azimah reminded the government that the PPSMI Facebook page had garnered over 100,00 supporters while 56,000 more had signed a petition in the last two weeks.

Research conducted by PAGE’s newest partner, Jaring Melayu Muda (JMM), also showed that 55% of parents and 79% of students surveyed in rural areas are in favour of the PPSMI so as to enjoy the same future opportunities as those in the urban areas.

Azimah also warned that the students’ aspirations should not be clouded by the agendas of those who do not play a role in a child’s education.

“The Gabungan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP) has intensified its harping on this issue lately because they want to enjoy the votes of those who are against PPSMI both in the urban and rural areas,” she stated.

“If its mission succeeds, it will not lose anything but the government will lose the support of parents who are in favour of the PPSMI.”

Azimah added that parents are still holding out that the government would reconsider the reversal and urged that the issue should not be used for political mileage.

“Otherwise it will be the end of our children’s chance to be given the best possible education  from our country’s education system,” she said. “Return PPSMI to us for the sake of our children and nation.”