SCHOOLS DID NOT MEET DLP CRITERIA
But the 126 can now proceed as ministry wants to deploy teachers to overcome issues, says minister
THE Education Ministry yesterday explained that it initially turned down the application by 126 schools to run the Dual Language Programme (DLP) because they did not fulfil its “technical aspects”.
Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said to run the programme, schools must fulfil four criteria set by the ministry.
“Based on the terms set by the ministry, the schools that applied for DLP have to meet these criteria: first, the schools need to have ample resources; the school administrators are prepared to implement the programme; it has been agreed to by all parents; and, the schools must meet the minimum score for Bahasa Malaysia.
“However, the ministry has decided to approve the applications by the 126 schools as we want to deploy teachers to address the technical issues.”
He said with approval given to the 126 schools nationwide, the number of schools that would implement the programme this year was 214, up from 88 that initially received approval.
He said as of 2016 and last year, the ministry had approved 1,215 primary and secondary schools to implement DLP.
“Following the approval of another 214 schools this year, altogether, we have 1,429 schools nationwide implementing the DLP involving around 200,000 students.”
Mahdzir also said the ministry had never suspended DLP as claimed and was, in fact, encouraging more schools to apply to implement it as long as the move had the support of parents, and the schools could meet the ministry’s criteria.
On Thursday, the ministry clarified that the DLP would proceed at 1,215 existing schools that adopted the programme.
In the statement, the ministry said all 1,215 schools would continue with the programme and they could offer DLP to the new batch of Year One and Form One students.
The ministry added that the DLP would begin on Jan 7 for schools in Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and Johor.
For other states, the programme would begin on Jan 8. It was also stated that special circular letters and DLP implementation guidelines would be issued by the first week of this month.
Recently, there was confusion among teachers, parents and students after a blog run by “Cikgu Nurul” said a state Education Department had allegedly issued a statement saying that the programme had been postponed until a directive or further guidelines on its implementation were issued by the ministry.
Following the approval of another 214 schools this year, altogether, we have 1,429 schools nationwide implementing the DLP involving around 200,000 students. Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid education minister