Revisit English used in DLP textbooks

I READ with interest the article “DLP textbook publishers chosen by talks and open tender” ( The Star, Jan 22), which reported that the Education Ministry was allowed by the Finance Ministry to conduct direct negotiations with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) to produce primary school Dual Language Programme (DLP) textbooks (new and reprints).

I would like to make a humble suggestion to all involved in the publishing of these textbooks. Please review the textbooks for grammatical accuracy before proceeding with printing or reprinting.

I have noted that the DLP Science Year 4 and Year 5 textbooks contain some grammatically awkward, albeit not necessarily incorrect, sentences. For example, the Year 4 DLP Science textbook (page 42) mentions “Wearing umbrella to avoid the sun.”

The Year 5 DLP Science textbook (page 60) explains that “Shorea tree has wing-like structure on the seeds similar to the helicopter propellers...” ( pic, right).

The same Year 5 textbook (page 139) contains a picture of a little boy saying “I feel I’m having a fever” ( pic, left).

It is not my intention to offend all who have worked hard, likely under immense time pressure, to translate these textbooks.

However, I hope they can revisit the language used in these textbooks so that our students are properly supported in their acquisition and usage of the English language. WORKING MOTHER Kuala Lumpur