Quest for knowledge: Victoria Wang and her brother Zoticus checking out dual language books on Science and Mathematics at a bookstore in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Putting the Dual Language Programme (DLP) into practice at schools is easier said than done, as several parents revealed that there are not enough DLP classes at their children’s school to cater to all interested pupils.
IT analyst Amir Osman Mohd Ibrahim said he had been trying in vain to enter his son into a DLP class since he got into Form One three years ago.
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“The school then had only two DLP classes for his form. My son had no opportunity to enrol in the programme,” he said.
After his son changed school, Amir said he let his son continue with normal classes because he had been studying subjects like Science and Mathematics in Bahasa Malaysia.
“Anyway, the new school had limited DLP class, too,” he added.
But Amir’s daughter was fortunate enough to be accepted into DLP classes at her school.
“Learning the subjects in English has definitely been a boon for my daughter. Her skill in English has improved, although it was a little hard for her initially,” he said.
Civil servant Mohd Sabri Abdullah, 47, said his daughter did not have the opportunity to enrol in DLP as her school had only one class for it.
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“I am not sure why there are limited DLP classes at the school. Maybe they don’t have enough teachers who can teach Science and Mathematics in English,” he said.
Housewife Zazwati Chita Jaafar, 50, said her daughter was among the fortunate few to be able to learn Science and Mathematics in English since primary school.
Now in Form Five, her daughter continues learning Science and Mathematics in English.
“She has no problem with her studies and her English is good. Her exam results are never bad,” she said.
But Zazwati Chita said her daughter had described how in some classes, teachers used both Bahasa Malaysia and English to teach.
This, she felt, might confuse students and she urged the government to train enough teachers so that the DLP process would run smoothly.
In 2016, some 300 schools were in the DLP pilot project that gave them the option to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
Parents were given the freedom to enrol their children in the programme.
Under DLP, English will be used fully in the teaching and learning of Science, Mathematics, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
There are now 2,240 DLP schools in the country comprising 1,613 primary and 807 secondary schools.
Separately in JOHOR BARU, Johor English Language Teaching Association president Vincent D’Silva said there would be a huge uproar from parents if the Education Ministry decided to cancel DLP classes.
“Abolishing DLP, which has already been in place since 2016, would not be a good move at all for our education system,” he said when contacted yesterday.
D’Silva, who is also SM Infant Convent Jesus Johor Baru former board of governance member, asked what would happen to students who have already been part of DLP if the ministry cancels it suddenly.
“Their parents will be looking at other options, including transferring their children to private and international schools, as they want subjects like Science and Mathematics to be taught in English.
“When it comes to education, there should not be any flip-flop as it will affect students’ performance and put more pressure on teachers,” he said.
D’Silva also asked why the ministry wanted to make such a hasty decision without consulting stakeholders, in particular schools and the public.
“Telling us that there are not enough teachers to teach DLP classes is not a proper excuse as the programme has been in place since 2016.
“The ministry should encourage teachers to undergo training and redevelopment programmes so they can teach DLP classes,” he added.
In Johor, there are 50 primary and secondary schools that have DLP classes, with more than 2,400 students.
Meanwhile, Captain M. Palaniandy, a parent from SJK(T) Jalan Yahya Awal, said many parents were still unhappy even after the ministry recently increased the number of DLP classes in four Tamil schools in Johor.
“We asked for all Tamil schools to have DLP classes. Just increasing the number is not what parents are asking for.
“Having an exam for Year One pupils to see whether they are qualified to enter DLP classes is unfair as this would merely separate the children. Education should be equal for everyone,” he said.
Palaniandy added that parents were planning to hold another meeting with the state Education Department and Johor Mentri Besar about the matter soon.
It is learnt that Year One pupils would have to sit for an oral English exam where they would be assessed on their proficiency of the language.
If they get high marks in the oral exam, they will then qualify for a DLP class, while those who do not get high marks would go to a non-DLP class.
In June, state education, information and communication committee chairman Norliza Noh said the number of DLP classes in four Tamil schools in Johor was increased following months of discussions with relevant parties.
She said the decision was made by the Education Ministry after careful consideration following several meetings with parent-teacher association representatives, teachers and parents of five Tamil schools in the state that were affected by a move to reduce the number of DLP classes.
“After discussions about the number of DLP classes in all five schools, they have come to terms with the decision, which includes keeping the status quo for DLP classes of pupils in Years Two to Six,” she said.
As for DLP classes for Year One, Norliza said SJK (T) Taman Tun Aminah would now have five DLP and two non-DLP classes; SJK (T) Jalan Yahya Awal (three DLP and one non-DLP); SJK (T) Ladang Rini (three DLP and two non-DLP classes); and SJK (T) Masai (two DLP and two non-DLP classes).
SJK (T) Jalan Haji Manan in Kluang will remain with one DLP class and one non-DLP class for Year One pupils.
