Parents of Standard One pupils in four schools are up in arms as their children will have no choice but to learn Science and Mathematics in Bahasa Melayu, instead of having the option of undergoing the Dual Language Programme (DLP).
They are questioning the need for the Education Ministry to now push for "stricter" DLP conditions that required a minimum of one full class per school learning the subjects in Bahasa Melayu (BM) as a "prerequisite" for DLP classes.
This requirement, seven years after the DLP programme started in 2016, has led to an overnight shift for some students, who are now required to study the subjects in BM instead of English.
It is understood that, prior to their enrolment in the DLP, parents were required to sign a consent form acknowledging the school's DLP status and give their approval for their children to be taught in English.
Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul expressed her disappointment that the schools were not given the autonomy to decide on the medium of teaching the subjects, which she said should be based on student's language proficiency and preference. Parents, she said, should have a say in the matter.
"The schools have ignored the parents' request to allow the children to learn these subjects in English, even when all parents from the schools have signed the DLP consent letter.
"The ministry insists that there are parents who do not want the DLP. The schools must then also cater to their needs.
"Students should be allowed to choose the language they are most comfortable with to excel in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects," she said, adding that the schools' parent-teacher associations had written to the ministry about their students' plight in May.
It is learnt that the schools involved in the change are SK Convent 1 Bukit Nanas, SK Bukit Damansara, SJK(T) Vivekananda and SJK(T) Segambut. Schools affected by the change initially provided complete English instruction for Mathematics and Science.
The New Sunday Times has also learnt that the ministry's English Language Teaching Centre, which oversees the DLP, is currently looking at the guidelines and reviewing the programme at all affected schools.
Azimah added that certain schools would conduct a BM proficiency test during the Standard One enrolment, and the result would be used to determine the student's medium of learning for both subjects.
Those with poor proficiency in BM will be compelled to learn those subjects in that language to boost their command..
It is understood that the language proficiency test is not a listed requirement in the ministry's DLP guidelines.
Azimah, who was part of the 2015 committee established to examine the transition from teaching Science and Mathematics in English to DLP, said Page felt that the DLP system should abolish the BM proficiency criterion, to allow as many schools to apply for it.
"The agreement was on three criteria: that a school should have sufficient resources, the school's principal has a plan in implementing DLP and that applications are made by parents or guardians.
"The additional criterion is counterproductive as half the schools involved do not meet the national average for BM and this has become a problem for them to even attempt applying for the DLP."
