OK for Pakatan to disagree on PPSMI says Guan Eng
Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng said today he favoured parents deciding if they wanted mathematics and science taught in English despite PKR releasing a statement today opposing it.
“No I don’t that is a problem,” he said when asked about PKR’s response opposing DAP’s statement over the weekend that parents should be given a choice.
He also said that he agreed with PAGE which has been pushing for the return of the English policy saying that certain national schools should be earmarked for teaching mathematics and science in English.
“The world now is about choice,” Lim (picture) said.
PKR said in a media statement today that the English policy, also known as PPSMI was not mentioned in the Common Policy Framework or Buku Jingga which binds KEADILAN, PAS and DAP.
“Pakatan’s policy is clear on the matter and should be left at that until and unless the Pakatan’s leadership decide otherwise,” said PKR.
Malaysia could once boast of having citizens that had a strong command of the English language but unfortunately saw that advantage dwindle when the government switched the medium of instruction to Malay beginning in the 1970’s.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that the government’s decision to scrap the use of English for science and mathematics in schools is final despite many parents voicing support for greater use of English as a language of instruction with even some calling for the return of English medium schools.
The growing row over the education policy has split the country along racial, political lines ahead of national polls likely to be called early next year.
Vocal fundamental groups are using the issue to champion their version of nationalism.
Several non-partisan civil societies have recently banded together to counter this tide but the dominant Malay political parties appear to be reluctant to commit to this hot potato issue ahead of the 13th general election.
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