The teaching of English.

11.8.2009.

Muhyiddin's reversal of English for mathematics & science isn't over yet, by the look of things. I've already said this has to be looked properly, for what's best for our children. Popularity is not the only test here, notwithstanding UMNO's current predicament. We've to do the right thing, some times. So, now the first formers who started with English can finish with English, and it's 2014 ? If it's worth keeping, then why reverse it ? 

I suspect the implementation date has all to do with politics only, not the children. For the opposing groups Muhyiddin can say to one "no, no, we're not changing anything yet." To the other he can at the same time say "yes, yes, we're changing it in a short while." I'm old enough and angry enough to say this about our Ministry of Education: every time a new Minister takes over, there will be a change in important policies. From Razak to Khir to Hussein to Mahathir to whoever happens to sit there, there'll be drastic changes, not just cosmetic ones.

I escaped mostly because the English-medium school system was intact when I was going through it. But some of my younger siblings endured, for instance, the trauma of having to switch back to "remove" classes and re-learn English and each lost at least one year. It's never too late to deeply reconsider a flawed government decision. It's not the question of the love of your mother tongue. No one can take that away. Seeking knowledge, that can be denied. 

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