MIC, MCA: Give students a choice

The two biggest component members in BN want the government to reconsider its decision on PPSMI.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president G Palanivel today urged the Education Ministry to reconsider its decision to scrap the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI).

He wanted the government not to rush into things but to think over the matter carefully.

“We have to consider the ongoing public’s reaction on this issue.” he said.

Palanivel, who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the education ministry should carefully listen to the reactions and suggestions from the PIBGs, parents and also the concerned NGOs.

“We do not want a backlash from angry parents,” added Palanivel.

He felt that the ministry should take its time and consider various options before deciding to scrap the teaching of Science and Maths in English.

“One of the options is to consider teaching of Science and Maths in both Bahasa Malaysia and English. It is still not too late. We can still reconsider the decision,” he added.

Introduce English Literature

Meanwhile in another statement, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek revealed that he and other party top leaders met Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on the issue involving PPSMI.

He said they were informed of the difficulty in implementing the policy if the parents were given the choice.

However he stressed that MCA felt there must be clear guidelines which will help to end any confusion.

“Students who have already been learning these two subjects in English should be allowed to continue. There should not be any disruptions.

“The MCA’s stand on this issue is very clear. We believe the stakeholders must have a choice,” he said.
He added that it was also important that something was done urgently to arrest the declining standard of English.

Chua said he had proposed to Muhyiddin to introduce English Literature as a compulsory subject in schools as an effort in strengthening the students’ command of English.