STU chief: Teach all subjects in English
KUCHING:
Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) is advocating English to be the medium of
instruction for all subjects, not only for Mathematics and Science.
STU president Jisin Nyud said Bahasa Malaysia should be taught as a subject. Jisin said while STU supported Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s push for the state to have its own education system and to teach Mathematics and Science in English, it felt English ought to be the medium of instruction for all subjects.
“STU supports CM’s suggestion on autonomy in education because it is in the Malaysia Agreement, signed in 1963. If we can handle it in the 50s, 60s and 70s, what difference does it make now? It is plausible.
“For primary schools, we can first start with Primary One and for secondary schools, Form One. We will be able to achieve it after six years,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Jisin said if the state was serious about this issue, then retired teachers and lecturers could be recalled to strengthen the foundation. In addition, the state can start the training of teachers in universities and teaching institutions,
“With the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English a few years back, we have already succeeded in raising the standard of English among our students. However, as we were about to taste the fruit of this labour, it was scrapped.” Jisin added there was a need for the government to be more aware of the importance of English in schools.
“Using English as the medium of instruction in schools can help students in their assignments. In universities, most references are in English.”
Fully confident that Sarawak has the means to implement the new education system, Jisin said to teach in English was to prepare students for a better future.
“We want our students to be recognised and accepted locally and internationally.
“In face of globalisation, the importance of English cannot be denied and ignored since English is the most common language spoken all over the world. As English plays a major role in fields such as medicine, engineering, technology development and education, it is a language that Sarawakians must master to be able to compete in international arena.”
Being proficient in English, he stressed, had always been equated to getting high quality jobs, being able to communicate with foreigners, and accessing scientific sources.
“As a state with big projects such as Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), Sarawak needs knowledgeable workers who are proficient in English. With English educated graduates, we will be able to meet demand.”
Jisin, however, was quick to point out that when English is used as the medium of instruction in schools, it did not mean the people would be less patriotic.
“Many of us are educated fully in English. It does not mean that to be educated in English make us love Sarawak or Malaysia less. Our feelings for the country are still the same because Malaysia is our country, and always will be.
“We still need Bahasa Malaysia in schools because it is our national language. As Malaysians, we must know how to speak the language.”
Jisin said knowing English was also advantageous as the society follow developments in technology.
“For this reason, if you want to follow the trends, new gadgets and technologies, modernisation of the developing world, you have to know English, whatever your age.”
Jisin concurred with Adenan that it was good to be multilingual.
“With this capability (being multilingual), definitely your chance to be employed will be brighter.”
“I also support the idea of using English as the medium of instruction in universities.”
STU president Jisin Nyud said Bahasa Malaysia should be taught as a subject. Jisin said while STU supported Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s push for the state to have its own education system and to teach Mathematics and Science in English, it felt English ought to be the medium of instruction for all subjects.
“STU supports CM’s suggestion on autonomy in education because it is in the Malaysia Agreement, signed in 1963. If we can handle it in the 50s, 60s and 70s, what difference does it make now? It is plausible.
“For primary schools, we can first start with Primary One and for secondary schools, Form One. We will be able to achieve it after six years,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Jisin said if the state was serious about this issue, then retired teachers and lecturers could be recalled to strengthen the foundation. In addition, the state can start the training of teachers in universities and teaching institutions,
“With the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English a few years back, we have already succeeded in raising the standard of English among our students. However, as we were about to taste the fruit of this labour, it was scrapped.” Jisin added there was a need for the government to be more aware of the importance of English in schools.
“Using English as the medium of instruction in schools can help students in their assignments. In universities, most references are in English.”
Fully confident that Sarawak has the means to implement the new education system, Jisin said to teach in English was to prepare students for a better future.
“We want our students to be recognised and accepted locally and internationally.
“In face of globalisation, the importance of English cannot be denied and ignored since English is the most common language spoken all over the world. As English plays a major role in fields such as medicine, engineering, technology development and education, it is a language that Sarawakians must master to be able to compete in international arena.”
Being proficient in English, he stressed, had always been equated to getting high quality jobs, being able to communicate with foreigners, and accessing scientific sources.
“As a state with big projects such as Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), Sarawak needs knowledgeable workers who are proficient in English. With English educated graduates, we will be able to meet demand.”
Jisin, however, was quick to point out that when English is used as the medium of instruction in schools, it did not mean the people would be less patriotic.
“Many of us are educated fully in English. It does not mean that to be educated in English make us love Sarawak or Malaysia less. Our feelings for the country are still the same because Malaysia is our country, and always will be.
“We still need Bahasa Malaysia in schools because it is our national language. As Malaysians, we must know how to speak the language.”
Jisin said knowing English was also advantageous as the society follow developments in technology.
“For this reason, if you want to follow the trends, new gadgets and technologies, modernisation of the developing world, you have to know English, whatever your age.”
Jisin concurred with Adenan that it was good to be multilingual.
“With this capability (being multilingual), definitely your chance to be employed will be brighter.”
“I also support the idea of using English as the medium of instruction in universities.”
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/13/stu-chief-teach-all-subjects-in-english/#ixzz3oPnJs600
My comments:
Let children in primary school learn all the subjects in the language of their preference, be it Chinese, BM, Iban and so on. Only in secondary schools, all the subjects with the exceptions of the BM and Chinese languages are to be in English.
Or what do you think to let the schools decide what medium of instruction they prefer for their students so that they can choose the schools of their choice? Some may want to study in the schools where the medium of instruction is BM whereas some opt for the schools where the Chinese language is the medium of instruction.
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