‘No need for remove classes if BM proficiency improves’
KUALA LUMPUR: There will no longer be a need for remove classes if the Bahasa Malaysia Performance Improvement Committee for Chinese primary schools is successful in its mission, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said.
He said that within the next three months, the committee will begin the process of identifying key issues in improving pupils’ command of the language.
“Mastering the language is important for all Malaysians.
“We want students, especially those from Chinese schools, to get a credit for the language in their UPSR to avoid entering one year of remove class,” he said.
He noted that at present, between 15% and 20% of SJK (C) pupils are unable to get a credit in their UPSR Bahasa Melayu paper.
He said the ministry hoped that remove classes will no longer be needed after the committee’s intervention, and this would ensure pupils’ smooth transition from primary to secondary school.
Pupils from vernacular primary schools need to attend remove class if they do not obtain a C or better in both their UPSR BM papers.
The committee oversees the improvement of the language in all Chinese primary schools and is led by Malaysian Chinese Language Council (MCLC) president Datuk Eddie Heng Hong Chai.
The committee comprises designated representatives from 18 NGOs – including the MCLC and the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) – as well as language experts from the ministry, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, and local universities.
On a separate matter, Chong urged parents to go through “proper channels” to lodge complaints if they are unhappy with the ministry.
“They can proceed to the district and state Education Departments, or the ministry itself.
“We will take action accordingly against any wrongdoing,” he said in response to DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong’s statement that more than 300 parents have complained about not getting receipts for book purchases.
Earlier this week, Liew said the parents also did not receive any response from the ministry on the matter. However, Chong pointed out that the parents had never made any official complaint to the ministry.