THERE is no necessity for me to overemphasise the importance of the English language in schools and universities. Talent and skill development in the country depend very much on the acquisition of the English language at a very early stage of a child’s school life.The necessity for technical, vocational and engineering education (TVET) has necessitated that importance be placed on the acquisition of knowledge and competence in the English language.The Education Ministry (MOE) needs to wait until Form Six to ensure competence in the English language amongst students before their entry into public universities.Periodic guidelines about the importance of the English language and the necessity for students to score a certain grade are important but they don’t address the general weakness of teaching and acquiring skills in the language in schools.I wonder why the MOE has to come out with guidelines for Form Six students when there is a general deterioration of English competency at the lower primary and lower secondary levels.Shouldn’t English competency be imparted at a very early stage in the education of children? Why establish competency at the level of Form Six?The introduction of English at the primary and secondary levels need not contradict the teaching of Malay as the national language.In fact, the teaching of subjects in these two languages can coexist without much problem. Even the option of teaching science subjects in primary and secondary schools under the dual language policy (DLP) is something to be welcomed.More than 2000 primary and secondary schools in the country currently have the option of teaching science subjects either in Malay or English. Unfortunately, this policy has its detractors.Some segments of society, particularly the language nationalists are concerned that such a policy might dilute the importance of the Malay language in the teaching of science subjects, as the English language has an edge when it comes to the teaching of science subjects.In fact, the popularity of DLP is due to the availability of the option to teach science subjects either in Malay or English. Many parents who want their children to be exposed to science want the subjects to be taught in English.The option of learning science subjects in English is at the heart of the DLP’s popularity. However, parents are unhappy that the government is not pursuing with zeal the implementation of the DLP.As it is, the government has not come out with clear guidelines for the implementation of the DLP.While some Tamil vernacular schools have come around to accepting the validity of the DLP, not all Chinese vernacular schools are opposed to it. They continue to emphasise the importance of mother-tongue education, which is Mandarin in the teaching of science subjects.It has long been recognised that English language competency has declined in schools at both the primary and secondary levels. While the guidelines of the MOE are important in recognising English competency at the level of Form Six and the need to attain a certain degree of competency, it might be too late.Language competency is not something to be acquired over a short period of time, a long gestation period is required.In this respect, the government without downplaying the importance of Malay as the national language, must impart language competency at a very early stage in the lives of students. The problem in the country in the past as well as the present is that there is no coherent policy on education.
In fact, education policies are simply seen as the implementation of language policies.
However, given the highly charged political atmosphere, erratic language policies have guided the development of the educational system.If reforms are still on the agenda of the unity government, then there is a dire necessity to re-examine the educational policy in the country to ensure competency in the teaching of the English language without undermining Malay as the national language. – Sept 14, 2023
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the former DAP state assemblyman for Perai. He is also the former deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
