Where are the textbooks in English?

It is nearing the end of 2012 but yet again, the very same problem persists and repeats and it is worse. No Science and Mathematics in English textbooks are available in bookstores now.

COMMENT

By Tunku Munawirah Putra

On behalf of parents who are stuck in the current doldrums of confusion and uncertainty of the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI), we are completely outraged and feel betrayed by the way the Education Ministry is handling this PPSMI issue for those who are “privy” to it.

The directive to allow the continuation of PPSMI last year dated Nov 4, 2011 stated that those who have started with PPSMI may continue to do so as per status quo.

However apparently the directive is just a decoy to make parents believe that the ministry will give that flexibility. In actual fact, we see clear elements of direct sabotage to hammer the nail in the coffin of PPSMI.

How so? Control the printing of textbooks; control the principals and teachers, no direction in science and mathematics in the Malaysian Education Blueprint, all done to ensure that PPSMI stays out.

We had the same problem last year of not having enough text books for Science and Mathematics in English. Some schools carried on this year without the English books even though they had access to them the previous years.

The state and district education departments were sending science and mathematics examination papers in BM only and it was left to the schools to translate them.

Where is the EDU, the Education Delivery Unit? If it is to kick off next year, it should be ready for pilot testing now.

It is nearing the end of 2012 but yet again, the very same problem persists and repeats and it is worse. No English textbooks are available in bookstores now.

Printers, when contacted, admitted they were not told to print textbooks in English at all for next year. This smacks of foul play and is just one of many more connected problems to come next year.

Can the minister prove us wrong?

The ministry and its support services must supply the needed Science and Mathematics textbooks in English immediately.

There must be a cooperative effort to ensure that the children do not become victims or collateral damage in a war of policy changes.

The slogan “Janji Ditepati” has been trumpeted continuously to us by the government. Therefore we expect the minister to keep to his promise of allowing PPSMI to continue unhindered for those who want it.

Leave your ego aside and put the children first, for the sake of their future and the future of our nation.

The writer is the secretary of Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE).