Use allocation to improve teachers’ English, says Melta

PETALING JAYA: A portion of the RM90mil allocated for enhancing English language proficiency in Budget 2017 should be used to train teachers.

Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) president Prof Dr S. Ganakumaran told The Star that teachers must be fluent in the language first before students’ command of English could be improved through Science and Mathematics.

The RM90mil provision is allocated specifically for Cambridge English, Dual Language and Highly Immersive programmes.

“For schools to carry out the Dual Language Programme (DLP), their teachers would need to prepare lessons in both Bahasa Melayu and English, as well as bilingual examinations and tests.

“Teachers will need additional support,” Prof Ganakumaran said.

Under the DLP, schools will be given the option to teach Science, Mathematics, Information and Communications Technology, and Design and Technology in English or Bahasa Malaysia.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon earlier announced that 841 schools were expected to implement the DLP next year, but the total had not been finalised as there were schools appealing for inclusion into the programme.

Last year, a sum of RM135mil was allocated in Budget 2016 to increase proficiency in both Bahasa Malaysia and English.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said the RM90mil allocation announced in Budget 2017 matched the Education Ministry’s expectations.