UNIVERSITI Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Azman Hashim today said proficiency in English was vital in shaping a promising future for Sabah folk.
Speaking at UMS’ 25th convocation ceremony, the prominent corporate figure said with greater emphasis on English in the state, students have the potential to even surpass their counterparts in the peninsula.
“Under the Federal Constitution, Sabah and Sarawak are accorded certain leeway on various aspects, including education.
“While of course not forgetting the important of Bahasa Melayu, importance must be placed on mastering English as well.
“If that happens, I am sure students and graduates from Sabah would be more competitive compared to West Malaysians. That is for sure,” he said.
Azman also said Sabah should follow Sarawak’s footsteps in allowing official correspondence to be done in English where necessary.
In the Federal Constitution, Sabah and Sarawak can use English as their official language, and the native languages of Sabah and Sarawak in the Native Courts or for any native law and custom (article 161).
Earlier, Azman said 80% of the world’s knowledge and its contents are in English and students would be at a “handicap” to learn all of them if they are not good in the language.
He said English proficiency in Malaysia has significantly dropped over the last two decades due to the system, particularly in education.
“You can’t blame the students. It is the system. Leaders do know the issues and how to solve it, but lack the political will,” said Azman.
He said the hours of English lessons in schools are being reduced and believes that only 10% of schools in Malaysia are still carrying out the Dual Language Programme.
Azman said these trends were a reflection of Malaysia going backwards.
He also believed that poor proficiency of English was one of the primary reasons many graduates are hired in the semi-skilled and low-skilled industries today.
Citing Statistics Department figures, Azman said while 90% of graduates have gained employment upon graduating, 37% are hired to do semi-skilled and low-skilled work.
He said poor command of English was one of the main complaints from the private sector with regard to fresh graduates.
“However, I believe that reforms in the education system will not come anytime soon and urge students to find ways to improve their proficiency in the English language by reading books, watching television and conversing in the language as much as they can. – The Vibes, December 13, 2023
