ABOLISHING PPMSI WOULD CAUSE A DOUBLE TRAGEDY BOTH TO THE NATION AND TO THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES.

THE HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY IS RIDDLED WITH MISTAKES.  THE WORST ONE WAS THE  ABOLITION OF ENGLISH STREAM SCHOOLS AS FROM 1971, IN ACCORDANCE WITH  EDUCATIONAL REFORMS INITIATED BY TUN ABDUL RAZAK.

We  in the DAP opposed the abolition of English stream primary and secondary schools, as English was the language of science and technology progress of the future, but all to no avail. Fortunately because of strenuous opposition by political parties and civil societies, the conversion and abolition of vernacular schools to national schools was prevented.

However the abolition of English medium schools caused havoc to the whole nation.   Students who passed out could not speak English, day to day business was affected and both foreign and local businesses were badly affected. Without English speaking employees, business could not be conducted, as the language of communication in the world was largely in English. Investments  dropped and most foreign investors ran away.

AS conditions worsened, it finally dawned on the then Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir to reverse the suicidal act of abolishing English in schools. realising their folly, the Cabinet on July 19th 2002 announced the PPSMI policy where in future English would be the language to teach Maths and Science in all schools.. This was welcomed by all, especially by parents who feared for the future of their children.

Unfortunately, TERAS a nationalistic movement fearing the popularity of English might encroach on the sovereignty of the Malay language applied pressure on the Deputy Prime Minister to repeal the policy of PPSMI,   causing DPM  Muhyddin to announce the cessation of the PPSMI policy.

The sudden turnabout is unwarranted, and the parents of hundreds oaf thousands of students (primary and secondary) are most unhappy with the decision. Malay, Chinese and Indian parents were all happy with PPMSI, as the teaching of Bahasa Malaysia was unaffected  by PPMS

THE DAP HEREBY WARNS THE DPM THAT REVOKING THE PPMSI WILL CAUSE TWO TRAGEDIES

FIRST THERE WILL BE A NATIONAL TRAGEDY.  PPMSI WHEN LAUNCHED IN 2002, THE CABINET ANNOUNCED THAT THROUGH IT,  THE COUNTRY WILL PROSPER TO  BECOME A MODERN SOCIETY OF LEARNING, SCIENCE, AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY.  Is THE DPM PREPARED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THROWING AWAY THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY AND TO CAUSE IT TO REMAIN A  POOR SECOND CLASS SOCIETY?

THE SECOND TRAGEDY MIGHT BE  THE DASHED HOPES OF OUR FAMILIES, OUR PEOPLE.       IS THE DPM PREPARED TO FACE THE WRATH AND DESPAIR OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE A BRIGHTER FUTURE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, BUT ARE NOW STARING INTO DESPAIR AND POVERTY FOR THEIR CHILDREN?

IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA,  THE DAP CALL UPON DPM MUHYDDIN TO REVOKE THE BAN ON PPSMI IMMEDIATELY, AND STOP  FOOLING WITH THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

Dr Chen Man Hin

DAP Life Advisor