PUAD: MORE EFFECTIVE TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE WITH BM AS MEDIUM

Dr Puad (centre) meeting participants of the conference

15th July, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Puad Zarkashi said acquiring knowledge is far more effective when Bahasa Melayu or the mother tongue is used as the medium of instruction in schools in this country.

He said the purpose was not to deny the importance of the English language but rather to enhance the command of English among students through a better teaching method.

Dr Puad said proficiency in English cannot be improved through the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

“That is why we will spend a hefty RM5 billion to correct the teaching of English by ensuring there will be enough English teachers for the rural areas,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters at a press conference after officiating at a conference on professionalism for schools here yesterday.

The deputy minister went on to say that the considerable allocation would enable the ministry to hire 13,933 English teachers starting next year including 1,000 from abroad and 600 retired English teachers.

It will also set up language laboratories in schools using Information and Communications Technology to teach English.

The ministry is prepared to consider the teaching of other languages at the secondary level as elective subjects, he added.

“Fully residential schools and matriculation levels already offer other languages as subjects but not in conventional secondary schools,” said Dr Puad.

Languages under consideration are Japanese, German and Spanish which are gaining popularity.

Sabah Education Department director, Datuk Normah Gagoh was also present at yesterday’s event.