Tun Dr. Mahathir is now more vocal in defence of his recently dumped policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English.
Shazwan Mustafa Kamal wrote this in the Malaysian Insider today. I quote his write-up.
"Tun Dr Mahathir today openly lashed out at Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to scrap the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI).
Dr Mahathir said that maintaining the PPSMI policy was necessary, and that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had to be “realistic” about it.
“What he (Muhyiddin) feels about the issue is his own business. Science and mathematics must be taught in English. That is my belief. The party (BN) stands to lose a lot of support if the old policy is replaced with the new one in 2012.”
According to Dr Mahathir, there were other ways of teaching the subjects in English, even among students in rural areas. Computer language software, he said, would enable not only the students but also teachers themselves who were struggling with English to improve their language proficiency skills.
The Education Ministry has come under fire recently for deciding to reverse its English policy.
One of the reasons cited for the policy turnaround was the shortage of teachers. In response to this, Dr Mahathir said the shortage was because teachers had been teaching in Bahasa Malaysia all along.
Although a “soft landing” approach will be used in the early stages, many people have raised concerns as to whether the policy switch will truly benefit the students.
“You’re playing around with our children’s future,” warned the former prime minister."
Seems Tun is getting more vocal in defending his policy which has been dumped.
Let us see what follow up he has up his sleeves.
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