Abolish PPSMI groups cheer survey: English benefited only 3% of pupils

A research conducted by the Ministry of Education showed that only three per cent of students benefited from the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English.

The result was seized on by Teras Pengupayaan Melayu or Teras, which wants the two subjects to be taught in Bahasa Melayu, as proof that their struggle was justified.

According to Teras chairman Azmi Abdul Hamid, the research automatically denied stand taken by pro-English groups such as PAGE that English was the universal language and the language used at all top-rated international universities.

“What’s important is that should we democratize our education system, we first have to look into the aspect of language. Majority of the population learned Mathematic and Science faster in Bahasa Melayu. Therefore, it is illogical and undemocratic to implement the scheme," Azmi was quoted as telling Harakahdaily.

Revert effective 2012 if you are serious, says Teras

Azmi, who is also a member of Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI or GMP, reiterated his stand that PPSMI (learning and teaching of Maths and Science in English) was not a solution to increase student’s performance. Nor could it create healthy competition at international levels, he said.

“If the government says that we will have a difficult task competing economically if we do not learn English, it is not true because even if we have many English speaking economists, our economy is not very good lately,” said Azmi.

He called on the government to stick with its decision to abolish PPSMI at the start of next year if they were serious.

“I argued with the pro-PPSMI who said that the scheme is important to the country. Let me reiterate to you that the implementation of PPSMI is damaging the country,” said Azmi.

English or Malay, the subject has created much debate amongst parents from across the rural and urban divide. All have their own opinion of what is best for their child. Nonetheless, Education minister Muhyiddin Yassin has recently confirmed the two subjects will be taught again in Malay but did not state exactly when that would take place. His decision was not well received by those who favor English.

On the other hand, it was warmly received by groups like GMP, which organized a huge protest in Kuala Lumpur in 2009. About 10,000 people including National Laureate A Samad Said took part in the march to the Palace, where they handed a memorandum to the King.

Malaysia Chronicle