PETALING JAYA: The Penang State Education Department has initiated an engagement session with all relevant parties to address concerns raised by Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG) about the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in several Penang schools, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Fadhlina said in a statement on Thursday (June 6) that the implementation of the DLP is based on the guidelines outlined in "Specialised Circular No.5 Year 2024: Guidelines for the Implementation of the DLP" dated March 19.
"The Education Ministry has noted media reports regarding the protest against the implementation of the DLP in several schools in Penang," she said.
"Schools implementing the DLP must ensure that opportunities are also provided to students who apply to study Science and Mathematics in their national language or mother tongue."
She added that schools must ensure at least one class in each year or form conducts the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics using the national language or mother tongue as the medium of instruction, starting from Year One and Form One for new academic sessions beginning from the year 2024/2025.
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"The DLP is under the MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the English Language) policy that provides schools with the option to use English in the teaching and learning (PdP) of Science and Mathematics."
"It aims to help students improve their English proficiency by providing more exposure through the PdP of Science and Mathematics at school."
On Wednesday (June 5), officials of various school boards and PIBGs held a press conference in Penang to protest against the implementation of the DLP in several schools.
Chung Ling board of directors secretary Foo Wan P'ng said the parents of around 400 Form One students at SMJK Chung Ling preferred their children to learn Science and Mathematics in English.
Foo was among representatives of 11 SMJK and Chinese secondary schools in Penang opposed to the directive that at least one class must be set up for Science and Mathematics to be taught in BM as a prerequisite for the DLP to be conducted.
Members of school boards and PIBGs urged the Education Ministry to do away with the directive, saying there would be no interest if Science and Mathematics were taught in BM.
