Gerakan backs Dr M to reinstate English in Science-Mathematics
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13: Gerakan Deputy President Dr Cheah Soon Hai lauded calls made by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad to reinstate the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.
In the media statement to The Malaysian Times (TMT) Cheah supported Mahathir's statement and said that Gerakan's support dual language education in primary school with English the main focus in secondary schools.
Dr Cheah pointed out that the teaching of Science and Mathematics will not only improve English efficiency among students, but also linked subjects taught in secondary level to tertiary education where Science and Mathematics were emphasised in English.
"With the basics acquired in secondary schools, students will have a better understanding during lessons," added Cheah.
"Under the globalistion era, Science and Maths in English must be prioritised. It is undeniable that English is the current international language," stressed Cheah.
"In order to be a developed nation, Malaysia has to conduct research and development with other nations that communicates mainly in English," he told TMT.
Cheah then cited examples saying that countries that do not use English as a national language such as China, Thailand, Korea and several others are also starting to see the importance of English.
Therefore, Malaysia has to accelerate its chase towards globalistion in order to become a developed nation, suggested Cheah.
Earlier, it was reported that Mahathir reiterated his appeal for the teaching of science and mathematics be in English.
"May I once again appeal for the teaching of science and mathematics be in English. Let us be realistic. Malay is not yet the language of science and mathematics," said Mahathir.
He added that science and mathematics were now the most important knowledge Malaysians must have if Malaysia wished to make progress and become a developed nation.
Mahathir said this in his keynote address at the 2nd International Conference on Teacher Education in the Muslim World organised by the International Islamic University Malaysia, recently.
"Students will not be employable even. Most of the jobless graduates are not proficient in English. It would be sad if students do well in school but they are rejected for employment because of poor or inadequate command of English," cited Mahathir.
He said if Malaysians did not have a good command of English, especially in science and technical subjects, they would not be able to keep up with advances taking place in this field all the time. -TMT