G Vinod
Even Mara understands the importance of English. Their junior colleges have decided to offer Cambridge programme, said Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (Page).
Page chairperson Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said in a statement this showed that even Mara, which largely caters for rural Malays, understood the importance of the English language.
On Saturday, Bernama reported that Mara would be offering the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education programme, equivalent to an O-Level certificate, at all 45 Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) in Malaysia by 2016.
Currently, Mara director-general Ibrahim Ahmad said, the programme is being offered at the Tun Adbul Razak MRSM in Pekan, Pahang.
He added that the programme, which has 180 students currently, would provide additional certificates for students to pursue their education abroad.
Lauding Mara for being far-sighted, Azimah said this showed that even Mara, an agency under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, did not agree with the abolishment of PPSMI (the teaching of Maths and Science in English).
“And they obviously bypassed the Education Minister’s (Muhyiddin Yassin) decision.Even rural Malay parents understand the importance of the English language as MRSM caters for rural students,” said Azimah.
While Mara was advancing itself with the Cambridge programme, Azimah said, the Education Ministry was taking a step backwards by abolishing PPSMI.
“And the reversal was decided without understanding the reason behind the poor command of English among our students. Muhyiddin himself admitted that he is clueless on it. So would the reversal help us to attain the desired standard of English proficiency?” asked Azimah.
She then called upon the government to reinstate PPSMI in national schools in order to create a level playing field among Malaysian students.
Whether she would call for the Cambridge programme to be offered in national schools, Azimah said it would be a dream come true if the government were to allow it.
“I believe they’re offering the programme in MRSM as it only involves 45 colleges which is easier to manage. The least the government could do for national schools is to reinstate PPSMI,” she said.
In 2009, Muhyiddin abolished PPSMI and announced Science and Maths would be taught in Malay effective 2012, in a move widely seen as to appease Malay language nationalists.
The PPSMI project, mooted by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was implemented in 2003 to address the declining proficiency of the English language among students.
Hornbill Unleashed 
Ridiculous move, really. This is utter double standard. Why should Mara be the only one to teach maths and sciences in English when non-Mara schools can’t? Everyone in Malaysia have the right to learn maths and sciences in English in the classroom.
Comment by whatsaysyou — August 28, 2011 @ 12:15 PM |
Mara from its inception had emphasised the importance of English education. When the malay fanatics raised their voices to replace English to Bahasa it was done in the interest of uniting the races and bringing the faith in national patriotism.It worked well because Mara could fill the gap where English educated Malays were concerned. It was also the place for the Malays to get easy money for education and business.
It worked well till tbe malay population expanded and when Islamic scholars realised that they had been misplaced and displaced.It went on till Mahathir realised that the private sector had all the non Malays where wealth was created.To arrest the situation and the cry of Malays being stupid in the usage of English in business he expanded it to national schools under the premise that teaching English in Mathemtics and Science will narrow the gap between the malays and the non malays.
It did not work well. The Chinese benefitted but the Indians and the malays lost.The very idea Mahathir brought to prop the malays became the bane of the malays. Naturally mahathir could not go against his own idea. This is where Muhyuddin came in as the education minister.At the same time malay language fanatics played their part helped by the malay opposition.It was decided to abolish the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.The card fell back but it stopped where Mara was concerned. We made the Mara scholars to study both languages and that gave birth to the present situation. Muhyuddin is happy but to keep his election victory possible and to get the votes of the non Malays he blew the wind again igniting the weakness of English teaching and the non remedial phase of English.
What went wrong? Is he blaming Najib or the former education ministers (one being Hishamuddin) for not doing enough to uplift English education in this country?Election is coming and to keep the issue of English out ,Muhyuddin had stirred the hornet’s nest.He wants to show to the public that the government cares for everybody but Mara had shown that they care for the Malays and not the nation as a whole.When Mara students can study both the languages at ease and with confidence , there is no valid reason why the national schools cannot teach Science and maths in English. Muhyuddin has the answer.Just before election the school system will be revamped and the school hours will be extended till afternoon where enough time will be extended to teach those who want to learn Science and Maths in English and they will be able to sit for any foreign certificates.For the non muslims ,time will be allocated to teach the religions of theirs. The government will spend money on free meals for all.The stipulated expenditure will be US4 billion but it will be the ultimate to change the voting of the non malays and the rural Malays.
Comment by Waheeda — August 11, 2011 @ 1:31 PM |
Its not easy to get MARA coz there are t&c will be required by MARA. Only qualified and poor Malay/Bumi can get this offer. At the end the MalayBumi will have to pay MARA back. What is so big deal about this issue? The poor Malay/Bumi deserved it.
Comment by JK — August 10, 2011 @ 5:29 PM |
I am just wondering why MARA only takes in MALAYS? Isn’t the word MARA suppose to mean MAJLIS AMANAH RAKYAT? So, that means ALL OTHER RACES are not RAKYAT?
Comment by Graham — August 10, 2011 @ 2:47 PM |
Don’t forget MARA is only open to Malays.
In other words, non-malays will not get to learn in PPSMI!!!
Comment by Daud — August 10, 2011 @ 2:45 PM |
Why Perkasa keep quiet when MARA show no respect to Bahasa Melayu?
Comment by Zahid — August 11, 2011 @ 11:41 AM |