PETALING JAYA: A progress report on the implementation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint should be tabled by the Education Ministry in Parliament, says the G25 group of eminent Malays.
The G25 noted that the Malaysian Education Blueprint from 2013 to 2025 was developed by the Education Ministry with assistance from the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), which was then part of the Prime Minister’s Office.
“A few GLCs got together to set up a Trust Schools programme for them to become models for other schools to follow based on the recommendations of the blueprint.
“The public will be interested to know how well the Trust Schools programme is being replicated among all schools in the education system,” said the G25 in a statement on Sunday (March 5).
The G25 also welcomed Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s remarks that steps have been taken to improve the skills and capabilities of teachers teaching the English Language since drawing up the Roadmap for English Language Education in Malaysia (2015 - 2025).
The G25 said the Education Ministry emphasised the training of teachers to teach the subjects in English through the implementation of the Dual Language Programme (DLP).
“We hope that as the DLP is getting more popular among parents, they will not be disappointed with the teaching standards.
“Teachers must show confidence in using English to teach maths and science subjects so that the students can follow the lessons and develop an interest in these subjects,” said the G25.
The G25 also noted that there were complaints that students tend to lose interest in subjects when teachers cannot express themselves clearly in English.
“Students whose parents can afford to give them private tuition in maths and science will continue to take an interest in the subjects.
“Other students who come from poor families may lose interest in learning maths and science if the teachers in their class are not up to par and teach poorly in the language,” said G25.
The 10-year reform plan is to achieve its goal of developing young Malaysians into effective and proficient English speakers.
Meanwhile, the G25 said that private sector employers tend to prioritise job applicants who are easily trainable.
It said school leavers and graduates who are competent in English will have an advantage as they can benefit from the in-house training programmes and become more productive workers on the factory floor and the corporate office.
“There will be social and racial disparities if only a few among local job seekers can meet the English requirement in job applications, while the shortage must be filled by importing foreign workers who are good in the international language,” said the G25.
The G25 also urged the Education Ministry to consider using an immersive approach in teaching English in selected centres of learning at schools and higher education levels.
“We hope that with its resources, the Ministry will continue to strive for the improvement of the use of the English language in our education system,” added the G25.
The G25 group comprises senior and eminent former civil servants and civil servants.
