I NOTE the many reforms listed in the 11th Malaysia Plan. Obviously, the proposed changes and development are not going to happen overnight.
Exciting and challenging times are ahead.
But with resolve and cooperation from all stakeholders, I believe that Malaysia can do it.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had stated that the reforms would be based on six thrusts or pillars.
Of particular concern to me is Pillar 4: Empowering human capital, where it stated that the government would encourage more schools to adopt the Dual Language Programme (DLP) through the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English.
This piqued my interest as I am in my third year of teaching English to Form One students at SMK Canossian Convent in Kluang, Johor.
It is one of 1,400 schools given the green light to teach Mathematics and Science in English.
I am just a retired teacher offering voluntary services.
But the Education Ministry has yet to come up with implementation guidelines to “encourage” schools to adopt DLP next year.
I hope that the ministry will make it easier for schools to use the programme.
A survey conducted by the ministry last year showed that between 18 per cent and 95 per cent of students in more than 1,200 primary and secondary DLP schools had improved grades in the subject.
There should be more engagement and collaboration with other stakeholders, such as retired teachers and non-governmental organisations.
In fact, my non-governmental organisation, Perkhidmatan Komuniti Sempurna, was roped in by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit to assist in this programme.
It is hoped that the ministry will update the schools as soon as possible so that we can continue with this programme as it has been proven to deliver results.
PETER SOO
Kluang, Johor