PPSMI turning into a major torn in BN’s side

With the 13th general election looming, will Najib's administration make an about-turn on PPSMI, and would Pakatan speak with one voice on the issue?

GEORGE TOWN: One issue remains contentious for Barisan Nasional (BN) as it heads into what pundits here believe to be the last leg of preparations for the 13th general election.

The issue is whether the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) be made an option in national-type primary and secondary schools throughout the nation.

Pundits are hedging bets that the election could be held anytime from next month until the first quarter of next year, and say the issue needs to be resolved urgently.

In 2009, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced the abolishment of the PPSMI effective next year.

He also declared that Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools could use their respective mother tongues for the instruction of the two subjects.

He introduced a scheme called MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language, Strengthening the English Language) which calls for a balanced approach, meaning that students need to master both Malay and English, so that neither lingua franca would be compromised.

It is shaping up to be a watershed moment for both BN and its rival Pakatan Rakyat as the issue is troubling thousands of parents whose children are in national-type schools.

On the one hand is the pressure on BN to reconsider its decision on the abolishment, particularly in national schools while on the other, Pakatan has yet to formally make a stand on the issue.

A lobbist group called Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) was formed last year to champion the right for their children to be taught Science and Mathematics in English.

There is widespread support for it based on the level of their online chatter through social networking sites such as Facebook.

Penang PAGE coordinator Rowena Yam, however, said parents are fearful that the issue would become too politicised, especially after the electoral outcome of 2008.

PAGE is apolitical and bold, as the group managed to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on the issue last January.

Younger generation the causalties

With three months to go before 2012 arrives, would Najib’s administration make an about-turn on PPSMI and would Pakatan speak with one voice on the issue?

Yam said PAGE cannot afford to wait, thus another signature campaign will take place this Sunday at the Speakers Square where its representatives would try to sway public opinion about PPSMI.

Yam believes national schools are the best platform to uphold the 1Malaysia virtues, but that English should be the medium of instruction for knowledge-driven subjects such as Science.

She said educational policies should not be amended too often as the casualities would be the younger generation.

She added that the freedom to choose ultimately lay with the parents and their child over how best to acquire knowledge. They cannot be forced to study Science and Maths in Malay.

It is learnt that Najib is mulling relaxing the regulations against the use of English as a medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics in schools but there is a catch.

There are objections from some academicians, who say that English must be absorbed well first by the students and teachers, before it is used to teach Science and Mathematics.

An overall consensus is unlikely anytime soon and this issue is turning out to be one of the most difficult for Najib since his tenure as prime minister began.

Whatever the federal government decides, it is likely to be politicised, especially when both Pakatan and BN are sparing no punches to cancel each other out in the next election.

As Malaysians soak up the effects of the socialist-laced Budget 2012, the upper middle-class must be wondering if their kids can have a bright future in a nation bogged by excessive politicking including whether it is wise to learn Science and Mathematics in English.