‘RM8 billion wasted through PPSMI’

Dr M launched the policy without proper planning, says Nurul Izzah

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad made the nation waste more than RM8 billion with his Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI) policy, PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar said today.

Reacting to the former prime minister’s latest statement on the issue, Nurul noted that the policy was abandoned in 2011 with the introduction of the Uphold Bahasa Malaysia and Uphold English (MBMMBI) policy.

“Mahathir bulldozed it without proper planning and preparation and it ended up costing us more than RM8 billion,” said Nurul.

She added that a study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) appeared to support her contention.

“According to Unesco, technical subjects should be taught in the students’ mother tongue,” she said.

“Until and unless most Malaysians speak English at home, I believe we should be pragmatic instead of squabbling about patriotism.”

Yesterday, addressing a conference of the Malay Consultative Council, the former prime minister said mastering English to acquire knowledge should not be regarded as a betrayal of the Malay language.

“Our language will develop when we master the sciences and write books in BM in the future,” he added.

Two PAS officials also commented on the issue today.

Dr Hatta Ramli, a member of the party’s central committee, said the government should maintain a focus on improving students’ command of English.

“I agree that the teaching of English has to be intensified,” he said. “Get more qualified English teachers and polish the quality of English in schools.

“You can even introduce English literature to the students, but Mathematics and Science should be taught in the mother tongue language because school children have a better grasp of their mother tongue.”

PAS Deputy President Mohamed Sabu said Mahathir’s remark yesterday was his personal opinion and the authorities should not take it seriously.

“Basic education should always be in the mother tongue,” he said.