Bilingual is best for Maths and Science, says Tsu Koon

KUALA LUMPUR - Gerakan has suggested a bilingual approach in the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

Its president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said both Bahasa Malaysia and English could be used when teaching the subjects to secondary school students.

“A bilingual teaching method would better prepare students when they enter Form Six or university.

“At primary school, Science and Mathematics should be taught in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin or Tamil for those in vernacular schools,” said Dr Koh at a press conference during Gerakan's Deepavali Open House at Menara PGRM here.

He stressed that the bilingual approach would not affect the government's Upholding Bahasa Malaysia and Strengthening the English Language (MBM-MBI) policy.

DAP, too, said it supported the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English if a majority of parents in a school want it.

DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua said the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy should not be completely rejected.

He disagreed with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's contention that a bilingual option would be “chaotic”.

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, said doing away with the policy in urban schools where students' competency in English was high would require extra effort.

“Therefore the argument of administrative hassle as a result of providing the option to parents and students is completely unacceptable as the quality of education our students receive is of paramount importance,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Pua called on the Education Ministry to review its decision to withdraw PPSMI completely and allow room for certain schools to continue teaching both subjects in English.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister said on Saturday that having a dual language option would be difficult for the ministry to plan in terms of logistics in assigning teachers.

- The Star