Maths and Science in English: Who's barking up the wrong tree!

I read with interest the ongoing debate regarding PPSMI as published in most dailies' 'Letters to the Editor' section. Perhaps I am stretching it a bit by calling it a debate when it is clear that only one side's arguments are prominent, and they are the views of the proponents of PPSMI.

Do allow me to give an opposing view.

From what I gather by reading the countless articles, letters and even SMSs espousing the virtue of PPSMI, I can surmise that the proponent of this policy based their support on TWO main arguments, which are -

ONE - the declining standard on English amongst graduates in this country that gravely affects their employability in the current fast moving world where English is the de facto lingua franca, and

TWO - the possibility of being left behind in the field of Science and Mathematics due to lack of references in Bahasa Melayu and their abundance in English.

Firstly, the hue and cry about the policy being revoked surprises me. It is surprising because those parents who painstakingly paint themselves as 'representing ALL parents in Malaysia' spent their blood, sweat and tears trying to defend the nation's interests, are actually barking up the wrong tree.

Why do I say this?

It is my humblest opinion that for one to be proficient in English, one has to learn English - simple and clear.

I come from a time where my English teachers made the language a fun and interesting subject to learn and experience, where interacting and communicating in the language was the order of the day through 'Speaker's Corners' and debates while learning the fine nuances of the language by - surprise! - watching TV, the popular “X-Files” in particular.

Where we read countless books and had written numerous articles, where book fairs were a thing to look forward to and the day our articles and letters were published in English dailies and magazines were most cherished of all.

We spent hours conversing student to teacher and amongst us students ourselves, where speaking up and expressing oneself via the language was very much expected. It helped being in a boarding school where we had a day in a week where we can only speak in English or risked being fined by the prefects.

All this experience back then have put me and my brethrens in good stead with our English.

Analyzing all this, it is important to note that the real key to our success with the language was the quality of those responsible in guiding us. In no way would I deny that we were lucky in that aspect. And for that I am thoroughly grateful.

This is the exact reason why I deem the PPSMI-proponents as barking up the wrong tree - instead of pushing for the Government to restore the quality of English learning in our education system, they are actually fighting to restore the usage of English in two highly technical subjects. And while at it with questionable quality of English too.

I believe it is our right as citizens to demand quality education system for our children. What we have now are clearly substandard, judging by the concerns voiced by employers regarding the quality of our graduates when conversing in the language.

Therefore demand it we should. Demand that a total rethink are done of the way English is currently taught in classrooms. Demand that the teachers put in place are of exceptional pedigree and themselves being strong in the language. Demand that only those passionate in teaching are being handed the responsibility by upgrading the teaching profession to the level of respect that it deserves.

But indeed those who fight for PPSMI and focusing their effort on something totally irrelevant, which in the end leaving the Government getting away with it scott-free.

Irrelevant I say? I stand by my earlier belief - learn English to master English.

How could one seriously believe that learning two highly technical subjects in Science and Mathematics can sufficiently improve a student's prowess in that language?

By going the PPSMI way what we get are pupils who can spew out Scientific and Mathematical jargons in English at ease, while struggling to string words into a proper sentence and actually using them in a conversation.

While there were those who excelled in both subjects during the PPSMI days, it is safe to note that those pupils were already proficient in English BEFORE learning Science and Mathematics in the language. It is due to this proficiency that they excel, not that they gain proficiency due to PPSMI.

Those championing PPSMI are largely well educated English-speaking urban dwellers at least in the middle class criteria. These people, who have been making such hue and cry regarding the policy revocation, are those who are able to prepare their children adequately by sending them to English-medium kindergartens and themselves conversing in the language at home. Thus it is not surprising that pupils from these families already have the proficiency in place to tackle the rigors of PPSMI.

While I am not undermining their effort in preparing their own children, do spare a thought to those parents unable to present similar preparations to their children.I am talking about those living below the poverty line, those from the kampungs, those families who have never spoken a word of English in their entire life.

And to expect their children to attend their first day of school and learn not one, but three subjects in English? It is just plain and simple murder!

Thus please by all means, stop being selfish.

And this talk about us lagging in the field of Science and Mathematics due to our lack of English-proficiency?

I say - if and when English is no more a problem to us, then the sky is the limit. When the prowess is high and ability is strong, learning and mastering any other subject where the medium of instruction is English will be a piece of cake.

Thus, ladies and gentleman of PAGE and whatnots, demand what is rightfully ours. Channel your efforts towards pushing the government to provide what is expected of them, and not towards the re-establishment of a policy that was barely a hunch at its inception and haphazard in its implementation.

A supporter whom I was in discussion before stated that when the best is out of reach, then settling for the mediocre option is the best we can do.

Let me tell you this - PPSMI is not even an option worth considering. Why settle when as citizens we deserve more. Definitely we deserve better.

Settling is for losers. I believe PAGE and other proponents will not consider themselves belonging to this category.

Fight for your cause, shout all you want, but my dear citizens, do not let what is rightfully ours taken away and substituted with something substandard, devoid of substance, and misleading at best.

The ball is in YOUR court. I rest my case.

Feizrul Nor Nurbi is a reader of Malaysia Chronicle