1M school, multiple teaching mediums?

An opinion poll in 7 schools in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur shows that 97 % of the parents (respondents) wanted the schools to continue teaching Mathematics and Science in English. 97 % is almost a unanimous decision. So how are you going to react, Mr Minister of Education, sir?

1. 24 hours is a long way to go. Why worry about 1M PM6 Najib's budget presentation when his deputy Muhyiddein is getting mixed reaction on PPSMI (Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematiks dalam Bahasa Inggeris).
2. An opinion poll in 7 schools in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur shows that 97 % of the parents (respondents) wanted the schools to continue teaching Mathematics and Science in English. 97 % is almost a unanimous decision. So how are you going to react, Mr Minister of Education, sir?
   
3. Parents action group for education wants all national schools to be given the option to continue PPSMI.
4. In August 2009, the education DG warned teachers to continue adapting PPSMI until 2012. Summarily, it means that the ministry is serious in discarding PPSMI policy.
5. On 20th October 2009, Muhyiddein stated that his ministry is looking into the possibility of scrapping PPSMI in 2011, a year ahead of schedule.
6. 2 days later, the opinion poll result is released to the public. What gives? How is the government going to react to this opinion poll?
7. Granted that the poll is taken in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor where parents are more adaptable towards English as a teaching and learning tools. But the question posed to Muhyiddein - can we go on with PPSMI and offer that as an option in selective schools, especially in urban areas?
8. The government has spent millions to train teachers in preparation of PPSMI. Are we going to lost that millions by abandoning PPSMI?
9. Muhyiddein has been quick in coining the words "memertabatkan Bahasa Kebangsaan dan memperkasakan Bahasa Inggeris". So what now? Are we going to offer the options to urban schools?Only urban schools? What about rural schools? Are we going to abandon rural schools and will not offer them the option to continue PPSMI?
10. 1M PM6 has been gunning for 1Malaysia, 1 Nation, 1this and 1that. Is he going for 1wife too? If we were to take the opinion poll at face value, maybe 1school system may not work...
11. Instead, will it be probable for 1M school to be converted to 1M multiple medium schools? I mean will we be reverting back to the early Merdeka years when parents (and students) were given the option to study in English or Malay medium. Maybe we can expand that further to English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil medium? Or will we be expanding it further to include the Jawa, Bidayuh, Penan medium as well?
12. It was a noble idea to abolish PPSMI for Bahasa Malaysia. Now, it seems that the parents (in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor) is sending a strong signal for the government to offer alternatives and options to their children.
13. If the government has the peoples' welfare at heart, the following can be an alternative to please the majority of the parents with school-going children :-
    • Parents has the option to send their children either to National schools or to English medium schools at primary school levels;
    • Those who opt to go for English medium schools may need to go for entry test (if the demand is higher than the seats available);
    • At UPSR level, the children will sit for the exam in either Bahasa Malaysia or English;
    • Those who excel will be selected to attend boarding schools - with National schools students placed in MRSMs', SMSs' whilst the English medium students placed in MCKK, TKC, STAR, SDAR;
    • From Form One onwards, a new subject will be introduced ie Technical Malay or Technical English. If a student is in National schools, he will be taught Technical English whilst Technical Malay will be taught in non-National schools. The aim of the subject is to prepare students for higher learning class where National school students may be sent to overseas (UK, USA, Australia, NZ where English is the medium for learning) or when non-National school leavers enter local colleges and Universities (where Bahasa malaysia is the medium for learning);
    • Technical Malay and Technical English is a compulsory subject where Science students need to get good grades for entry to tertiary education;
      

14. Of course, the proposal is still in raw condition and can be refined further. I believed that this is a better solution and a win-win solution to all parties involved. The question is - will the government listen?
    
15. AAB used to say that he listen to the peoples voice. 1M PM6 Najib thrive on his ability to feel the peoples pulse. Is he feeling the peoples pulse now? If he does, what is his next action? Continue to abandon PPSMI? Will he nudge Muhyiddein to consider 1M multiple teaching medium?
16. Muhyiddein cannot afford to suggest that the 97% of the parents from these 7 schools to send their children abroad if they prefer to study in English. That is not the solution. Will Muhyidden able to rise and meet this simple challenge from 95% parents from these 7 schools? Actually, it is not even a challenge. It is just a request for an option. Is it too much to ask?
17. Muhyiddein can sleep on this, if he wants to...but I am looking anxiously at what 1M PM6 Najib may be tabling tomorrow...
    

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