KUALA LUMPUR: The extension of the dual language programme (DLP) in schools is a focused-based strategy towards learning and improving English language mastery among students, say education activists.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, describing the DLP as the "jewel in the crown" of the Education Ministry, said it was a targeted approach towards learning English, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics in its "lingua franca".
This, she said, would help the government's aims of attracting more people to transition to technical, vocational education and training, and was aligned with the National Industrial Master Plan 2030.
"It (DLP) is a perfect fit into the demanding global job market. Parents want more DLP schools to open up, classes to be expanded and more students allowed to enrol.
"Parents deplore the suggestion from the education minister that from next year, full DLP schools must sacrifice one class to become non-DLP, even though it goes against parents' wishes.
"It also goes against the grain of the call of the prime minister in wanting English proficiency to be improved," she told the New Straits Times.
She was responding to a statement made by Universiti Malaysia Sabah pro-chancellor Tan Sri Azman Hashim, who claimed that the standard of English proficiency had significantly declined, primarily due to shortcomings in the education system.
He had said graduates lacking English mastery lose out on job opportunities, as they struggle to communicate effectively during job interviews.
Noor Azimah acknowledged that the level of English proficiency had plummeted, and said the DLP should be expanded to more schools in the country.
She said based on data, only 7.44 per cent of primary school pupils and 12.17 per cent of secondary school students nationwide were DLP students.
"These numbers are alarming, and we need to expand DLP.
"However, with the minister imposing non-DLP classes next year, this number will fall further.
"Where the national language is weak, we should address that (separately), but do not take English away.
"Unfortunately, ultra nationalists' views are taken more seriously than parents' wishes, and which often curtail the expansion of English language hours in schools.
"We have been waiting for a year, but the Education Minister has still declined to meet (to discuss issues surrounding DLP)."
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin echoed Noor Azimah and added that the DLP was an immediate solution to address the weak mastery of English.
He said through observation, students who were exposed to more English terms and spoken English tended to apply what they had learnt and had the confidence to use the language outside the classrooms.
"Yes, I agree that proficiency in English has declined. This is the reality. Our leaders and policy-makers know it, too. There is just no political will to address this.
"The best solution is to bring back English-medium schools but that is almost impossible and will cause chaos.
"A second solution is to increase more teaching hours for English lessons, but again, there is no will to do it.
"So the immediate solution is to expand the DLP programme," he said.
Mak said most schools still used Bahasa Malaysia as their medium of communication outside of classrooms.
He also said with the exception of some English teachers, even school management hardly communicated with students in English.
"As our students need more exposure, it will be good and progressive if the Education Ministry would allow teachers and students to communicate in English for all co-curricular activities and in notices outside classrooms.
"However, schools will only do it if there is a clear directive."