The politicians in Malaysia have lost their sanity in the quest of positions and
powers.They messed with the education system of the country in order to gain
attention and supports. The argument whether English should be the medium for
teaching science and mathematics subjects in schools still rages on.This really
puzzles one,what is there to argue about? Use BM in Malay medium schools,use
Tamil in Indian medium schools,use Mandarin in Chinese medium schools and use
English in English medium schools(if there is still any left).Simple and
straight forward. If you want to ungrade the standard of English language in
schools,fine and you have my whole hearted support,but do it in a sensible and
logical way. Increase the English language periods per week,send teachers for
proper,specialised training.Do not ask teachers who are physics,maths or
engineering majors and who received their degrees after attending courses
conducted entirely in B.M. as a medium of instruction. The only purpose in
attending a science or maths class is to learn the concept or principles of the
subject,not the medium of instruction itself.Young children, especially those in
primary schools,have problems in mastering their own mother tongue already, it
is placing undue pressure on them asking them to master the subject matter in
science or maths and a second language at the same time.Don't you agree? Do you
realise that in order to phrase a question clearly the vocabulary,grammar and
sentence structures used have to be at least of the level of a year 5 or 6.How
do you expect a year 3 or 4 student to fully understand the question and answer
it accordingly? "Use the correct tool for the correct job".This principle was
drilled into my mind when I was a young engineer long time ago.In countries like
Germany,if you are caught using a pen-knife screwdriver (flat slot) on a Phillip
screw(cross slot),you will received a warning letter.If you repeat the same
mistake you will be sacked.This emphasises the importance of doing the right
thing the right way in a developed country,we should learn from them if we
really want to achieve our "2020" vision. Sometimes you are thirsty but not
hungry,while sometimes you will be hungry but not thirsty.You need not do both
things always when you are in a coffee shop.You order the right thing for right
need. When you are thirsty,drink water or other drinks,you don't order a "sup
tulang".Similarly,when you are hungry,eat some thing solid,you don't try to fill
you stomach with gallons of water. When you want to carry heavy goods, use a
truck not a bus. When you want to carry passengers, use a bus not a truck. Do
not try to carry both passengers and goods together with either a bus or a
truck. It is an offence to do so, isn't it? So I beg everyone to put politics
aside for a while and think clearly with logic this time. Teach language in a
language class,teach maths or science subjects with the language which the
students know best for the maximum academic benefits.
