S’wak takes up challenge to teach Science, Maths in English
MIRI: The Sarawak government is the only state in Malaysia to take up Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s challenge to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
State Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin revealed that Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik came to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and himself last Wednesday with a surprise proposition.
“He told us that the prime minister would like to have Mathematics and Science taught in English and so far no state would take up the challenge and would Sarawak take up the challenge.
“Our Chief Minister without any hesitation replied “yes we take the challenge,” said Manyin.
Manyin shared these details while representing Abang Johari at the 20th Anniversary Dinner of Curtin University Malaysia here on Friday night which was officiated by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Manyin admitted the decision was a real challenge for Sarawak to implement but strategies will be worked out including seeking cooperation of universities to train more local teachers to teach the two subjects in English.
“So I am appealing to Curtin Malaysia to help us train the much need teachers for Northern Sarawak, Swinburne University in Kuching will be tasked with Southern Sarawak,” he said adding that 60 per cent of Sarawakians would like the two subjects to be taught in English immediately.
However, due to shortage of teachers proficient in English to teach the subjects, it will be implemented once there are enough teachers.
Maszlee, on Wednesday told reporters in Kuching that the teachers involved will be Sarawakians, who will be trained in institutions and universities in the state.
He said last month Dr Mahathir announced that the federal government has taken the middleroad approach with schools having the option to teach Science and Mathematics either in English or Bahasa Malaysia as there are Malaysians who favour and some who oppose the teaching of these subjects in English.