Compulsory pass for SPM English unfair to rural students, says minister

Datuk Mahdzir Khalid cites the lack of teachers and infrastructure in the decision to postpone making English a compulsory pass in SPM as well as the science practical examination. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, August 27, 2015.The decision to postpone making English a compulsory pass subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination was fair especially for students and teachers in rural areas, said the new education minister in response to critics who call the move arbitrary and proof that education was often victim to politics.

Datuk Mahdzir Khalid said students in rural areas have yet to master the language or even reach a satisfactory level in proficiency, and admitted that the country still lacked a sufficient number of English teachers.

"We have to postpone because it is unfair for students in the rural and interior areas.

"For example, in Sabah, some take three hours to reach the school via boat. And then, they have to ride on a truck to get to school," he told The Malaysian Insider in an exclusive interview.

He said students in urban areas are more prepared and are able to master the English language more quickly.

"Schools in towns and cities are more prepared. There is no problem (for them) if we implement it. We have to give more time to teachers to be better prepared. When it is time, we will implement it and there will be no further delays.

"The teachers' training institutions (IPG) have to be on top of things and ensure that there are enough English teachers. In fact, the teachers have to be determined in their preparation," said Mahdzir, who was appointed to the Cabinet on July 28.

Students at a school in Kuala Lumpur showing their SPM result slips. Putrajaya says urban schools are better prepared in English, but thinks making the subject a compulsory pass is unfair to rural students. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 27, 2015.He said the ministry is now planning to increase the number of English teachers to ensure their targets are met.

On the postponement of Science Practical Examinations for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Additional Science, the minister said that schools have had issues with the equipment and laboratories.

"The proposal is good for students who can understand the process of learning better, but some schools don't even have laboratories. So how?" he said, adding that the decision to postpone was right so that schools can be prepared.

Parent groups were disappointed and expressed alarm over the postponement, saying it would harm education standards.

Parent Action Group for Education (Page) and the Association of Parent Groups in Reforming Education (Aspires) were concerned that the decision was politically motivated at the expense of educational excellence.

"While we do understand the need for teachers, students and the relevant stakeholders to prepare, we are concerned that the delay is again a subordination of educational excellence to political motivations," said Page chair Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.

Former education minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (right) at the launch of the Malaysian Education Blueprint (2013-2025). His replacement says there is no plan to Datuk Mahdzir Khalid to make drastic changes, but only 'improvements'. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 27, 2015.Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari described it yet another example of arbitrary decision-making in the education system.

"While flip-flop decision-making is almost synonymous with our education system, this sudden postponement reveals several worrying things.

"It shows how our education policies are constantly decided upon in an arbitrary manner without considering important issues such as readiness of the system, capacity of teachers and students to adopt and adapt to changes, as well as the state of the existing infrastructure," the DAP lawmaker had said.

Mahdzir, meanwhile, gave assurance that he would not change education policies that were already in place, and promised to make only improvements instead.

Mahdzir took over from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, under whose tenure the Malaysian Education Blueprint (2013-2025) was launched.

Muhyiddin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister, had introduced the compulsory pass for English in 2013, and it was to have been enforced in 2016.

- TMI