KUCHING: The Computer Science and Design secondary school subjects will be taught in English in Sarawak from 2029, says Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.
The state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister said this will involve the first cohort of Sarawak's dual language programme (DLP) students once they reach Form Four in three years.
"This is a significant achievement that strengthens the continuity of the Sarawak DLP pathway and supports STEM learning," he said when winding up matters related to his ministry at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Monday (May 18).
Sagah said the federal Education Ministry had agreed for the two subjects to be taught in English following sustained engagement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"My ministry is currently working with the Sarawak Education Department and the federal ministry to ensure full readiness for implementation, including teacher preparedness and supporting delivery mechanisms," he said.
He later told reporters that Mathematics and Science subjects, including Biology, Physics and Chemistry, were currently taught in English for the first Sarawak DLP cohort, who entered Form One this year.
"So we will have an additional two science-related subjects to be taught in English," he said.
In his speech, Sagah also said a comprehensive review of the Ujian Penilaian Dual Language Programme Sarawak's (UP-DLPS) results showed that targeted improvements were still required despite encouraging progress in several areas.
He said his ministry and the state Education Department were strengthening customised intervention programmes for schools and students requiring additional support, alongside continuous professional development for DLP teachers.
"In addition, this year’s UP-DLPS will adopt an online marking system to improve efficiency, consistency and integrity in assessment management," he said.
The UP-DLPS is Sarawak's Year Six assessment in English, Science and Mathematics, with 29,002 pupils sitting for the inaugural assessment in October last year.
English recorded the highest passing rate at 91%, followed by Science at 84.7% and Mathematics at 61%.
