More BM lessons ‘not viable’ in SJKCs

Chinese educationists viewed that learning hours for English should be increased instead.

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese educationist groups want the Education Ministry to review its new ruling on increasing teaching and learning hours for Bahasa Malaysia (BM) and English (BI) for primary four, five and six students at national-type schools (SJKCs) which is set to kick off next year.

Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia’s deputy secretary-general Chin Yew Sin said the new proposal was not viable for Chinese primary schools.

Under the new ruling, the learning hours for Bahasa Malaysia will be increased from the current 180 minutes per week to 270 minutes per week, while for English from 120 minutes to 150 minutes, Mandarin will maintained at 300 minutes.

“We hope the ministry will look into this matter and review it. We feel that it is adequate if teaching and learning for Bahasa Malaysia be set at 210 minutes, and for the English subject increased to 210 minutes,” Chin told a press conference organised by the United Chinese Schools Teachers’ Association of Malaysia (Jiao Dong) here yesterday.

He said the same sentiment was also supported by United Chinese School Committees  Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) and Chinese schools headmasters association.

Chin said the groups viewed that learning hours for English should be more, as currently the subject was taught 300 minutes at national primary schools.

This would also be in line with the government’s policy to uphold Bahasa Malaysia and to strengthened the English Language (MBMMBI), he said.

He also urged the Education Ministry to set a new date for a meeting with the association as soon as possible to iron out the differences since the scheduled meeting on Monday had been canceled.

-Bernama