Thursday , October 9, 2008 (The Star)
Urgent proposal from parents and teachers
MANY views have been put forward regarding the teaching of
Science and Maths in English. As a concerned parent who
cares for my children in their studies andwho keeps in touch
with teachers and the development of education in our
country, I would like to put forward some of the facts
regarding the present education system.
Most parents have no objection of teaching Science and Maths
in English in the secondary schools, except that the method
needs to be improved.
As for the children in the primary schools, the parents
would like to see their kids acquire the ability to read,
write and communicate in English, knowing the importance of
the language in the work place and the international arena.
As parents, we know the strengths and weaknesses of our
children in coping with the increasing workloads even at
primary school level. They have to cope with the rising
standard of the National Language and in vernacular schools,
they also have to cope with the increasing standards of
their mother tongue language.
In addition, they have to cope with the extra subjects —
Science and Maths (in both languages for vernacular
schools), civics, projects for civics and local studies,
etc. These extra studies and workloads have their negative
impacts.
Most students are stressed up and missed the joys of their
childhood. They lack time to develop in other areas which
are equally important in their growing up..
The majority of teachers suffer stress and frustration due
to the extra workload. For some, their inability to teach
Science and Maths in English leads further to their
depression.
Many parents and teachers whom I have talked to would like
to submit this proposal to the Education Ministry for
serious consideration while the decision on the teaching of
Science and Maths in English is being made.
Firstly, incorporate Science and Maths knowledge into the
English subject and let it be taught as one subject ... that
is English in primary schools and secondly, increase the
number of English lessons.
These will help improve the standard of English besides
helping them to acquire some basic knowledge of Science and
Maths in preparation for the switch to English in Science
and Maths in the secondary schools.
It will also bring relief to the stressed teachers and
students as they will have fewer subjects to cope with,
particularly in the vernacular schools.
LOH SENG KOK,
Petaling Jaya.
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