SIBU – Sarawak will continue teaching mathematics and science in English, said state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
He said the Sarawak government had already given its assurance that the dual-language programme (DLP) will be maintained.
“The state government had spent RM18 million on facilities, training of teachers and books since it started the DLP four years ago.
“The DLP programme has now been extended to Primary 4, and next year, to Primary 5…until it reaches Form 5,” the Nangka assemblyman said after an event here, today.
He was reacting to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call recently for the government to reinstate the use of English as the medium for mathematics and science in schools.
Dr Annuar said making English a compulsory subject is more important than making it mandatory to pass history papers to get a full Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate.
“We in Sarawak will never revert to the policy of using Bahasa Malaysia to teach mathematics and science.
“By hook or by crook, we will continue the teaching of mathematics and science in English,” said Dr Annuar.
Annuar, who is also the chairman of the University of Technology Sarawak’s board of directors, said making it a must to pass the history subject to receive a full SPM certificate is unfair and inappropriate.
“Don’t get me wrong…history is important, and the subject should be learned daily, not only during school time.
“But the way it is imposed, where students need to pass their history subject before they can graduate…that is a bit harsh.” – The Vibes, August 25, 2023
