KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will implement the Dual Language Programme (DLP) and follow the guidelines set by the Education Ministry, but with some fine-tuning.
State Education Department director Datuk Raisin Saidin said the state needed to consider the availability of teachers, which was crucial to implement the programme in the long term.
"The state Education Department must ensure the teachers follow through from Years 1 to 6 during the implementation, even if the state faces geographical challenges in mobilising staff.
"The teachers must be prepared to carry out the programme and cannot stop midway."
He said this after presenting a talk on "Exploring the Madani New Education Landscape" at the National Department for Culture and Arts Sabah.
He added the Education Department also sought full support from parents or the programme could not be effectively implemented.
Students must also have a good command of Bahasa Melayu, which was part of the guidelines, he added.
He said the Education Department allowed students to be transferred to schools that offered the DLP from those that could not afford it.
He said the department would need to consider views from the state government before carrying out the DLP.
On the talk earlier, he said the goal was to highlight the investment in human capital, aligning with the educational direction in Sabah.
"We have long been aware of Sabah's need to obtain a better position in education to compete with students from other states.
"Our focus is not solely on academics. We also emphasise on character building and leadership qualities."
