- Dr. Mahathir is known to rule with an iron fist.
- I stand by MY principle that DEMOCRACY do not work, if people are not educated, or influence by fear/reward. Authoritarian rule can be good, example Singapore/China
- Not all his policy are bad
- This one, Maths and Science in English , i support 100%!!!
- All you Cinapek that study, Hua Wen, i understand your concern.
- But i don't really care bout u cinapek, because you guys are hardworking, if i throw you into the deep sea, you cinapek can swim in no time.
- if education ministry ask you to learn 4 language, it is no problem for you. So please dont be selfish
- there are 70% malay in this country
- if you cinapek ask for cina to be taught in school, the malay want their BM to be taught in school. Then the Malay kia is the one to lose
- how many language can huan na/ malay kia speak? BM at most, some lucky one speak english
- By right all malaysian must speak at least 3 language.
- so you cina pek out there, don't be so selfish.
MATHS and SCIENCE in english please
- I stand by MY principle that DEMOCRACY do not work, if people are not educated, or influence by fear/reward. Authoritarian rule can be good, example Singapore/China
- Not all his policy are bad
- This one, Maths and Science in English , i support 100%!!!
- All you Cinapek that study, Hua Wen, i understand your concern.
- But i don't really care bout u cinapek, because you guys are hardworking, if i throw you into the deep sea, you cinapek can swim in no time.
- if education ministry ask you to learn 4 language, it is no problem for you. So please dont be selfish
- there are 70% malay in this country
- if you cinapek ask for cina to be taught in school, the malay want their BM to be taught in school. Then the Malay kia is the one to lose
- how many language can huan na/ malay kia speak? BM at most, some lucky one speak english
- By right all malaysian must speak at least 3 language.
- so you cina pek out there, don't be so selfish.
MATHS and SCIENCE in english please
THE EXTREMISTS
1. We are all held to ransom by extremists. We want to be rational and we all want to do what is best for ourselves and our country. We all want the best for our children and their future. But we cannot do all these because if we do we will be accused of being traitors, not supporting our own community or our own religion. We will be demonized etc.etc.
2. So willy-nilly we become the instruments of these extremists and their narrow jingoism, to our own detriment.
3. In Malaysia we are constantly being asked to confront each other on racial issues. Disputes cannot be resolved by rigidity in our stand. But we have to be rigid if we do not want to be vilified.
2. So willy-nilly we become the instruments of these extremists and their narrow jingoism, to our own detriment.
3. In Malaysia we are constantly being asked to confront each other on racial issues. Disputes cannot be resolved by rigidity in our stand. But we have to be rigid if we do not want to be vilified.
4. It is a miracle that this multi-racial country has remained stable and peaceful for so long. If the extremists can have their way we would all be at each others' throats. We would be demonstrating in the streets and at the airports. If we do not accede to the wishes of the extremists then we cannot even make a living, there will be no investments and no jobs for the workers.
5. Today we are grappling with the problem of education. We have three streams and woe betide anyone who suggests that we should not have them. We talk of liberal society, of free speech, but if you express some commonsensical views you would be labelled racist.
6. Then there is the controversy over the teaching of science and mathematics in English. We curse the person who had proposed this, calling him a betrayer of his mother tongue, of the national language. Then there are those who want to carry out a nationwide strike if the policy is not changed.
7. I am ready to surrender to the extremists, to pay the ransom demanded. What does it matter if the country goes up in flames, if the extremists win the day? What does it matter if the life of our children and their children is blighted? Anything for a quiet life. I want to be a member of the silent majority and just acquiesce. However the habit of a lifetime just refuse to go.
5. Today we are grappling with the problem of education. We have three streams and woe betide anyone who suggests that we should not have them. We talk of liberal society, of free speech, but if you express some commonsensical views you would be labelled racist.
6. Then there is the controversy over the teaching of science and mathematics in English. We curse the person who had proposed this, calling him a betrayer of his mother tongue, of the national language. Then there are those who want to carry out a nationwide strike if the policy is not changed.
7. I am ready to surrender to the extremists, to pay the ransom demanded. What does it matter if the country goes up in flames, if the extremists win the day? What does it matter if the life of our children and their children is blighted? Anything for a quiet life. I want to be a member of the silent majority and just acquiesce. However the habit of a lifetime just refuse to go.
from malaysiakini
| Dr M decries being held to ransom by language extremists |
| May 28, 09 4:46pm |
| Just before he stepped down as prime minister in 2003, Dr Mahathir Mohamad bulldozed the concerns of vernacular educationists and implemented the controversial language switch policy. Under this policy, schoolchildren will be taught science and mathematics in English in a bid to improve their proficiency of the English language. The critics cried foul and have been pushing for the policy to be dropped ever since. After exhausting all avenues, the critics took the streets on March 7.  The group submitted a memorandum to Yang di-Pertuan Agong, calling for royal intervention. Apart from this, they have also taken their grouses to the voters during elections.In his latest blog posting, Mahathir lashed out at these 'extremists'. Although no names were mentioned, it was clear that his warheads were pointed in the direction of the most vocal of critics, Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI led by national laureate A Samad Said. "We are all held to ransom by extremists," lamented Mahathir. "We want to be rational and we all want to do what is best for ourselves and our country. We all want the best for our children and their future. "But we cannot do these because if we do we will be accused of being traitors, not supporting our own community or our own religion. We will be demonized," said the 84-year-old statesman. "So willy-nilly we become the instruments of these extremists and their narrow jingoism, to our own detriment," he added. 'Protacted peace a miracle' In Malaysia, Mahathir said the people are constantly being asked to confront each other on racial issues. "Disputes cannot be resolved by rigidity in our stand," he noted. "But we have to be rigid if we do not want to be vilified." "It is a miracle that this multiracial country has remained stable and peaceful for so long. If the extremists have their way we would be at each others' throats. We would be demonstrating in the streets and at the airports. "If we do not accede to the wishes of the extremists then we cannot even make a living, there will be no investments and no jobs for the workers," he said. Today, Mahathir said, the country is grappling with the problem of education. "There are three streams and woe betide anyone who suggests that we should not have them. We talk of liberal society, of free speech, but if you express some commonsensical views you would be labeled racist," he added.  As for the controversy surrounding the teaching of science and maths in English, he said: "We curse the person who had proposed this, calling him a betrayer of his mother tongue, of the national language. Then there are those who want to carry out a nationwide strike if the policy is not changed.""I am ready to surrender to the extremists, to pay the ransom demanded. What does it matter if the country goes up in flames, if the extremists win the day? "What does it matter if the life of our children and their children is blighted? Anything for a quiet life. "I want to be a member of the silent majority and just acquiesce. |
I agree that English should still be maintained as a medium of teaching for Science and Math. It's the way forward.
I have this feeling that the Education Ministry would probably scrap the project. I hope my feelings are wrong.
I think I would subscribed to the 1 Sekolah untuk semua movement, provided that the maintain English for Science and Math and they scrap away the negative propaganda BTN unit.
1 sekolah that is free from religion, i setuju
1 sekolah that is full of mediocracy/politic/religion - i tak setuju
This is not going to sound like me but I actually agree that Maths and Science should be taught in BM.
Lets look at history. You and me. We grew up in SRK and SM where everything was taught in BM. And we all turned out alright.
Face it, no one is gonna improve their command of English simply by them being taught certain subjects in English. Language is much more than that. The environment and background plays a key role to this. English as a language can only be mastered if you speak it, read it and write it. No doubt the teaching of Maths and Science encourages this, but if the students continue to converse in their mother tongue with friends and family, their English will simply not improve. Most of us here are able to reasonably manage the English language because we choose to use it on a daily basis.
If the government is really keen on English as a 'must have' languange, then change the education system and have English used at the medium in schools - back to the days of our parents. But this is never gonna happen in Malaysia again. So, we can discount this.
I think with English used in certain subjects while BM is used for the others only confuses the students further. As it is the quality of our education is poor (that's another subject for another day). Besides, the teachers of today are not capable of handling the English language. Sending the teachers for crash courses on English is not going to help in anyway. So, the blind will be leading the blind. And everyone ends up in the longkang.
I am convinced that if we pursue with English for Maths and Science, we will only produce students who are good at nothing. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Note: The command of English of our students and even university graduates today is so horrible that I cannot help shaking my head whenever I hear them struggle to speak. At the rate thing goes, my head will fall off pretty soon. It's quite 'loose' already as it is.
ST,
- if you take out english from maths and science, the only time they going to be exposed to english is during English class. While is clearly insuffienct to learn that language
- Our time, my biggest regret is using BM to learn maths and science. Do you count your numbers in malay? Have you used the word makmal/tabung uji/jadual berkala, anytime after SPM? conclusion, i do not even use any of those terms
-2nd regret is not learning hua wen..hehehe
Why Malaysian Government insists on using English for math and science?
This is because the whole world uses the language as an information and/or technology language. How dangerous it will be if we try to use Bahasa, especially in school. See example below:-
Hardware = barangkeras
Software = baranglembut
Joystick =
batang gembira
Plug and Play =
cucuk dan main
Port =
lubang
Server =
pelayan
Client =
pelanggan
Try to translate this:
ENGLISH:
That server gives a plug and play service to the client using either hardware or software joystick. The joystick goes into the port of the client.
Now in BAHASA:
Pelayan itu memberi pelanggannya layanan cucuk dan main dengan menggunakan batang gembira jenis keras atau lembut. Batang gembira itu akan dimasukkan ke dalam lubang pelanggan..
Now you know...WHY.. .
Neo,
1. If improving the standard of English is the objective, then they should improve English as a subject and have more hours dedicated to the subject. Using English in the text book of Maths and Science is not the way. Practically,the teachers and students are using BM for the class while the reference material is in English. That's it. That's more counter-productive than anything.
2. I don't count in Malay because I am brought up with English at home. Like I said, your background shapes you. English is more of my mother tongue than Chinese. You guys know how sucky my Hokkien is (apart from the curse words hahaha...). Mandarin? Don't even go there.
3. No, I don't use makmal, tabung uji or jadual berkala but neither do I use lab, test tube or the periodic table.
4. I have no regrets not learning Mandarin man (at all). China is not really my ideal holiday destination. French would have been better. But ideally, Japanese and Italian will be excellent cause I love my holidays in Japan and Italy.
fark la... I just typed a friggin long comment and it didn't post up properly. Hit the back button and *poof... gone!
Damn you....errr.... internet connection!!!
rewrite again la.. i wanna hear your comments
I support 100% teaching Math and Science in English. Putting aside the issue of getting the right teachers to be proficient in English, I strongly believe the long term benefits will outweigh short term challenge. These benefits include not only better proficiency in English, but also an easier transition from school to the real world and higher education in Math and Science. This is because the most cutting edge science and math materials will be in English. Those translated into Bahasa will definitely be outdated and maybe even translated wrongly.
Furthermore, if we have young inquiring minds that have the potential to be future Einsteins or Bill Gates, then these young inquiring minds can easily pick up tremendous amount of materials in English. Think of how much better school projects will be for Science and Maths projects with the entire English internet world and books and journals behind these kids.
Finally, any change will always be painful. But I believe this change is for the better. Sure, the teachers and nationalists will complain, but eventually they will give in and go with the system.
I can see the merits of your views.
Let's explore the practicality of this issue. First and foremost, we have schools using BM, Mandarin and Tamil as the teaching medium. This is akin to setting your Windows languange into say, German. Then you decide to type an English letter and your Word goes crazy. Why? Because the default language is not English.
Multiple languages as the teaching medium confuses the students. One of the major issues to implementing this multiple language system is the maturity and adaptabilty of our students. Sadly, our education system does not encourage development of the mind. Neither is the current education structure ready. There is also this issue of how 'intelligent' these students are. I dare say that the more intelligent students will prosper in this system as they will benefit the most. The lesser ones, well, they will only get worse as they struggle to cope with school.
Malaysia is still at a stage where the background of many students is a hindrance to to their academic progress. Some of us are fortunate to be exposed to better family backgrounds and multiple languages. And having live in urban areas, we take many things for granted.
Malaysia is not Singapore. Even Hong Kong is finding it difficult to be teaching in Chinese and English - they are now trying to revert back to English. Education should not benefit only the fortunate ones. Yes it is true that the students themselves should put in the effort to catch up if they find themselves lagging behind. But, is there a system to help them? Is there anyone at home to help them? Will helplessness only serve to set them further behind?
Issues like this is not easy. Which is why I do not support it until Malaysia is ready. For us to be ready, it is going to take a lot of preparatory work. There are times when we need to bite the bullet. But will living with the pain always have things work out alright? We need a long term education plan. This may take a generation to prepare. But the country needs to progress in many more areas as well. In-depth studies need to be carried. The issue at hand may have its merits, but theories and actual results varies vastly more often than not.
Let's explore the practicality of this issue. First and foremost, we have schools using BM, Mandarin and Tamil as the teaching medium. This is akin to setting your Windows languange into say, German. Then you decide to type an English letter and your Word goes crazy. Why? Because the default language is not English.
------------
That is why, there need to be a common language to unite all school. English.
let me ask you, will Chinese and Tamil school accept if BM is made compulsory to teach Maths and Science? Definitely not.
Let's commonise everything, teach in english. More research paper, and you can easily google up G-spot/Male baldness/Metaphysics, then you search in BM/Chinese or Tamil.
Worse still is those tamil student. Tamil is a dying language. Most people in india are prepared to speak English/Hindi. How are they going to be prepared for the future?
Even hong kong, that teach in CHINESE only, except for English class/language after 1997 (handover to china) is going back to teaching in English.
Going back to BM, will only take us backwards. Not only will they lack research material, they will lack behind when they compete overseas when they have to start back in english. Secondly, they will not be expose to speaking english properly
Neo, given a choice, I will propose that all schools teach in English. But we know that this will NEVER happen in Malaysia.
I am never pro-vernacular school. But they again will NEVER get replaced with 1Sekolah.
So, best that we do not harp on the un-do-able but instead come up with something practical.