Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Rethink on Science and Maths

PUTRAJAYA, The Education Ministry will come out with a compromise solution in the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.
Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said that the current policy would be modified because a strict “yes or no” decision might not be suitable.
“Some of the views we are considering include using Bahasa Malaysia at lower primary or lower secondary levels,” he said.
Hishammuddin noted that the feedback received by the ministry so far showed that opinions were equally divided on the issue.
“Both sides have put forward very convincing arguments to support their views,” he told reporters after chairing the national Unesco commission’s annual general meeting at his office here yesterday.
Hishammuddin said that the ministry was still seeking more views from stakeholders and that a third roundtable discussion on the issue would be held later this month.
“A final decision would be made after the results of the just-ended Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) 2008 are analysed,” he said.
Pupils who sat for the UPSR this year are the first batch to study both subjects entirely in English since the policy was introduced in 2003.
“Whatever happens, we will continue with our agenda to improve the English proficiency of students,’’ said Hishammuddin.
Hishammuddin also said that he would consider the National Union of the Teaching Profession’s (NUTP) proposal for a single-tier pay scheme for teachers.
“However, the NUTP must also acknowledge and appreciate what we have already done for the teaching profession rather than add more demands to every request that has already been fulfilled,’’ he said.
Earlier this month, newly-elected NUTP president Hashim Adnan said the current scheme, which differentiates between graduates and non-graduates, had too many disparities.