With issues raging over the implementation of the Dual Language Programme (DLP), Khairy Jamaluddin urged Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to state her stand clearly to the masses.
The reason, he claimed, was that there may be a perception that she is leaning toward the aspirations of those who are opposed to DLP - namely the Malay language proponents.
“I hope the ministry can explain its direction clearly. Parents need to know which schools are implementing DLP.
“Perhaps, there is a perception that the minister (Fadhlina) may lean more towards Malay language proponents because her father (the late Siddiq Fadzil) was one.
“So, I hope the ministry will address the matter. Parents need to know,” he said in his “Keluar Sekejap” podcast yesterday.
The DLP programme was mooted in 2015 under the premiership of Najib Abdul Razak soon after the teaching Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) programme was cancelled.
It was introduced to improve English language proficiency among students through the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics subjects.
The existing DLP guidelines for implementation are that schools are equipped with sufficient teaching resources, preparation is made by the principal and teachers, parental consent is obtained, and the school’s performance in the Malay language meets the national average standard.
However, since last year, schools that implement DLP have been made to provide at least one non-DLP class for students who want to study science and mathematics in Malay or their mother tongues, leaving many irate, including the Parent Action Group for Education (Page).
It is to be noted that Page was a member of the committee established to examine the transition from PPSMI to DLP.
On Dec 21, Fadhlina defended the new directive alleging that field visits found that some students in schools that implement DLP are not mastering basic Malay or their mother tongues.
"Schools that agreed to implement DLP must ensure all criteria are met, including the mastery of Malay.
"At the same time, mastery of mother tongue languages must also be protected as a core to the legitimacy of the implementation of mother tongue learning in vernacular schools," she was reported as saying.
‘Classic centrist policy’
Touching on the matter, Khairy, who was part of the then-Najib administration said he supported DLP back then, calling it a “classic centrist programme”.
“DLP is a ‘classic centrist programme’ where it was not too extreme like PPSMI and not overly appeasing the Malay language proponents.
“In that sense, Najib came up with a perfect compromise,” the former minister added.
Khairy also dismissed remarks claiming DLP was only popular among urban areas.
“Among the schools that have DLP were SK Jasin (Malacca), SK Merlimau (Malacca) and SK Taman Sri Rembau (Negeri Sembilan).
“So, there is demand for DLP in such areas and it’s not fair to say only people from Bangsar-like areas want it.”
‘Political dimension’
Meanwhile, his co-host Shahril Hamdan claimed there is a political dimension to the issues affecting DLP.
He also lamented that some quarters accuse proponents of PPSMI or DLP as being “not Malay enough”.
“The problem is if one suggests anything that is based on pragmatism and practicality, your Malay identity gets questioned and even get accused of being disloyal to the country,” he stated.
As such, he urged the Education Ministry to stick to DLP’s initial guidelines - where the community decides whether they want it or not.
“If you’re from Bukit Damansara and the parents want DLP, high chances are the teachers there can do it.
“But if it’s in the rural area where there is little demand, obviously it won’t work.
“In any case, one must understand that the Malay language will always be the national language,” Shahril added. - MKini
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