DPM SO CALLED CALCULATED MOVE TO SCRAP PPSMI IS BASED ON FAULTY AND IRRATIONAL CALCULATION

Media statement by Dr Chen Man Hin, life advisor DAP in Seremban on 22nd Nov 2011

DPM SO CALLED CALCULATED MOVE TO SCRAP PPSMI IS BASED ON FAULTY AND IRRATIONAL CALCULATION

DPM MUHYIDDIN insisted that PPSMI had to be scrapped because only about 5% of primary schools nationwide were taught in two languages, Malay and English while less than 9% were taught in the two languages. This means that 95% of primary schools were taught in Malay for the other subjects and 91% of the students in secondary were using Malay as the medium of instruction.

This implies that MALAY was the main medium of instruction in more than 90% of both primary and secondary.

MUHYIDDIN also complained that the pass rate of science in rural schools in 2008 was 79.7% compared to 83.2% the year before. In urban school, the pass rate declines from 85.1% to 82.5%.

He also claimed that for Mathematics the pass rate also dropped to 80% from 84%, there was also a drop in rural schools from 80% to 77%.

For Mathematics, there was a fall from 85% in 2007 to 81% in 2008, with rural schools drop was from 81% to 77%.

He put the blame for declining stands to PPSMI. These are flimsy excuses for Muhyiddin to revoke the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

This is ridiculous for a minister to imply that PPSMI would cause more failures in Maths and Science.

Muhyiddin’s claim if flying in the teeth of evidence to the contrary PPSMI is not new. It is actually in practice in Singapore and Bangalore of India.

Singapore schools teach Science and Mathematics in English, and as a result have produced outstanding students. These students have won International Mathematics and Science Olympiad continuously for the past decade.

Bangalore of India also teaches Maths and Science in their schools in ENGLISH. As a result, their universities have built up an army of engineers, technologists, and scientists. These talented professionals have made Bangalore the SILICON VALLEY OF ASIA. Top scientists and IT specialists frequently visit Bangalore. Bill Gates is one of them.

Malaysia can be like Singapore and Bangalore to join the fraternity of silicon valleys, provided English is the language for Science and Maths.

The DAP urges DPM Muhyiddin to stop playing games but to be sensible and practical. He must let PPSMI continue if he wants a 1 Malaysia. If he refuses, there will be no 1 Malaysia and we will be join the company of the i.e. Zimbabwe and other banana countries.