KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth urged the Education Ministry (MoE) to reassess the overnight shift in the Dual Language Programme (DLP).
MCA Youth Secretary-General Saw Yee Fung said parents with children in Standard One are upset because the Dual Language Programme (DLP) suddenly changed existing classes from DLP to non-DLP halfway through the term.
This move took away the chance for their children to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
"First introduced in Budget 2016, DLP was designed to enhance English proficiency, increase employability, and contribute to the development of a more competitive workforce.
"The recent policy shift has thereby left parents questioning the government's commitment to the original goals of the DLP.
"Sudden language transitions can be challenging even for adults, let alone for 7-year-old children who have been learning Mathematics and Science in English all this while.
"Prior to enrolling in the DLP, parents were required to provide consent, acknowledging the school's DLP status and granting approval for their children to be taught in English.
"As such, the hurried imposition of Bahasa Melayu (BM) as the medium of teaching not only breaches the original agreement between parents and school, but also presents a significant hurdle for young learners who are now required to adapt to an entirely new language medium.
Saw mentioned the Ministry of Education acknowledged its poor communication after being criticised. They emphasised that BM remains the main language of instruction in all schools.
While it's crucial to maintain strong national language skills, changes shouldn't compromise the goal of providing top-notch education to build skilled and competitive individuals for Malaysia.
"In light of overwhelming parental concerns, we call upon the government to reevaluate its approach to DLP classes.
MCA Youth believes that a comprehensive and transparent dialogue is long overdue between the government and stakeholders to ensure DLP evolves in a manner that truly benefits the students.
"Instead of introducing additional barriers, the government must explore alternative solutions that align with the tenets of the Education 5.0 Framework.
"This entails a stronger focus on leveraging digital technology to establish a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking learning infrastructure," she said.
