Tuesday July 15, 2008 MYT 5:43:10 PM

Decision on Science, Maths is for new batch of students

By KAREN CHAPMAN

PUTRAJAYA: Students who are already learning Science and Mathematics in English will not be affected by whatever decision is made on the policy at the end of the year.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the present cohort of students would continue learning the two subjects in English.

"I know some parents are worried that their children will have to learn the two subjects in Bahasa Malaysia if the policy should revert," he told reporters after attending a session of the roundtable discussion on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.

Hishammuddin had earlier announced that a decision on whether Science and Mathematics would continue to be taught in English would be made after the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) results are released at the end of the year.

The decision, he added, was not easy and should not be politicised.

"Whatever decision is made will come into effect for a new batch of students," he said.

Hishammuddin said the decision would not only be based on this year's UPSR results alone.

"The results are only a part of the decision-making process as we will take into account other views as well," he said.

He said the roundtable discussion would discuss all reports and observations on the implementation of the policy so far.

More roundtable discussions with other stakeholders such as parent-teacher associations, teacher unions and non-governmental organisations would also be held, he said.

He said the ministry also had to look at the impact of the policy in many areas including rural and urban schools, on the various races as well as in primary and secondary schools, he said.

"Our efforts in inviting other professionals from outside the ministry proves our sincerity in finding the best approach for our students," he said.

Any decision that would be made must not be based on emotions or perceived assumptions but on facts, he added.

The policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English was implemented in phases, starting off with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.

More News