KUALA LUMPUR: The Penang Education Department has started engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders following issues raised over the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in several schools in the state.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the move was part of the ministry's commitment to address the issues surrounding DLP and ensure the programme is effectively implemented based on the established guidelines and that it achieves its objectives.
She added that the implementation of DLP must also follow the guidelines outlined in the ministry's 2024 Circular Letter No. 5: Guidelines for the Implementation of DLP for 2024 dated March 19 this year.
"Schools implementing the DLP must ensure that opportunities are available for students who wish to study Science and Mathematics in either the national language or their mother tongue," she said in a statement today.
It was previously reported that the boards and parent-teacher associations (PTA) of 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools in Penang had opposed the forced 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, 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.
DLP is aimed at enhancing students' English proficiency by increasing exposure through the teaching of these subjects in English.
Fadhlina also said that following the circular, schools must also ensure that there was at least one class for each year or form that conducted the Teaching and Learning Concept (PdP) in the national language or mother tongue.
"The requirement starts with Standard One and Form One for the 2024/2025 school session."
