GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has vowed to work closely with the Education Ministry to find an amicable solution to issues raised by the boards and parent-teacher associations (PTA) of 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools.
The issues were due to the implementation of a ruling that at least one science and mathematics class be taught in Bahasa Melayu.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who oversees the education portfolio, said the state government was aware of the issues raised.
He said the Dual Language Programme (DLP), which is the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, was started on a pilot basis in 2016 involving 300 schools by the Education Ministry.
He said, in Penang, as many as 50 secondary schools and 35 primary schools were involved in the DLP programme.
"We are still waiting for a full report from the state Education Department regarding the issues raised.
"The state government recognises the importance of using appropriate language in the learning process.
"Therefore, the state government will work closely with the Education Ministry to ensure that this issue is given attention for implementation in the most effective way by taking into account the needs of all schools," he told the New Straits Times.
The state government, according to Mohamad, is always open and takes seriously all concerns voiced seriously.
He said the government was committed to finding the best solution for all parties.
"The state government, together with the state Education Department as well as the cooperation of all parties, will be able to find a solution and agreement to ensure that all students receive quality education for the benefit of our future generations," he added.
Earlier today, the boards and PTA of 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools in Penang told newsmen that they strongly opposed to the forceful implementation of at least one-class using Bahasa Melayu as a medium of instruction.
They claimed almost all parents in their schools were against the policy and reluctant to have their children in the class.
They urged the Education Ministry to listen to them, respect the will of the parents and return to the original intention of the DLP in science and mathematics.
At present, science and mathematics are taught in English in these schools.
Datuk Seri Koay Hean Eng, the Board of Penang Chung Ling High School chairman, who spoke behalf of the 11 schools, said a letter from the state Education Department dated April 15 was sent to the principals of 36 national and vernacular primary schools and 52 national and vernacular secondary schools.
He said the letter officially announced that one of the instructions of the ministry was to enforce the implementation of at least one class using Bahasa Melayu as a medium of instruction in all vernacular schools starting this year.
The class is to have a minimum of 20 students.
"We, the representatives from the School Board and PIBG of the 11 SMJL/SM(C) in Penang, want to express our strongest opposition to the forceful implementation of at least one class of non-DLP for the subjects of science and mathematics in all the SMJK/SM(C) in Penang.
"It has caused major contradiction among the parents who strongly opposed the policy. This also creates unnecessary troubles for the school administration. As a result, it created confusion and psychological imbalance among the students.
"This policy totally ignores the will of the parents and goes against the original intention of the DLP, which is supposed to strenghten and better equip the students in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and TVET, in order to pursue the aim of the '2030 master plan of new industries'.
