PPSMI(1) : Flip flop times are here again...?

“Studies revealed that PPSMI was never ever fully implemented as envisioned. Teachers were teaching the two subjects in both Bahasa Malaysia and English.” - Muhyiddin Yassin (Minister of Education)

1. Something is not right here. First, the Government decided to go for PPSMI ie teaching and learning Science and Mathematics in English in 2003.
   
2. 6 years down the line, the government makes a 180 degree turn and revert to Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics in Bahasa Malaysia. Who says so? The Malaysian cabinet said so. They did it on 8th July 2009. The honour of announcing it goes to Muhyiddin Yassin, Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister.
3. In line with the announcement, Muhyiddin announced new measures to "empower Bahasa Malaysia and strengthemed English". The measures are :-
   • Establishing more "contact time" between the teachers and the students;
   • Increasing English language hours by 90 minutes for national standard schools;
   • Increasing English language hours for vernicular schools;
   • Increasing English language hours for secondary schools;
   • Increasing English language hours for Malaysian University English Test;
   • Increasing English language hours for matriculation students by 100 %;
   • English children contemporary literature program to be introduce to instill reading interest;
   • English language laboratories will be set up in schools;
   • Information technology will be utilised;
   • Grammar will be given emphasis;

4. Muhyiddin is quick to claim that he has met and discussed the decision with Mahathir Mohamed whilst the latter has set up online poll regarding the decision in his blog.
5. Some parents are unhappy with the cabinet decision. In short, there are as many fors as there are against.
6. This time, before this scribe penned down his personal thoughts, let's hear what you have to say...
   

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...