Looks like the new Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has decided to defer the decision on whether to continue teaching Science and Math in English until he is "satisfied with the analysis about what are effects from the current policies and what could be improved or if there is a need to amend the policies".
This is part of the same newspaper report by the Malaysian Insider.
“We are looking at some research carried out by a number of independent bodies. They have given me feedback which is not very similar to what the round table discussion that we have. Some round table do not have enough facts and evidences.
“There are a lot of feedback which I think has to be looked at and we are prepared to wait a little bit longer because whatever decision that the government is going to make on this issue is important because we do not want to be seen as a flip flop in terms of administering this issue,” Muhyiddin said.
He added that the Ministry is open to any parties that are willing to share their views on the issue and that he will only decide when the time is right.
“What is important in this stage is that many parties have given their own opinions. Some agreed and others have disagreed. What is important is the future of our national language, the importance of the English language and also the future of our children,” Muhyiddin said.
This issue has been debated ad nauseum and I'm sure that enough trees have been felled and enough coffee drunk over round tables and discussions to give a perfectly healthy man diabetes.
I don't think this is a problem that is particular to the Malaysian political system. In any country with a parliamentary system, when there is a change in not only the Minister in charge of a certain Ministry but also the Prime Minister, it is very likely that the new Minister in question would not just blindly adopt the positions of his predecessor.
In this case, the former Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, did not make any decision on whether the teaching of Science and Math in English would continue next year. Hence, it is only natural that Muhyiddin would not want to make a quick decision that may be uniformed, at least on his part.
But still, one cannot help but think that at the end of the day, whatever decision that will be made, will come at the expense of the students themselves since this delay will probably lead to delays in possible changes to the curriculum, the textbooks, etc...
This kind of delay almost makes me wish that Muhyiddin and the government of the day will just bite the bullet and make a decision on this and then take the heat from it. Whatever decision they make, there are bound to be some groups who will be unhappy. So might as well bite the bullet sooner rather than later.
Again, this is another drag the time tactic by the education ministry. It is a sad thing and the victim is the poor malaysian students. Why should students suffer at the expense of inefficient ministry who cannot even make a decision???????
ReplyDeleteIt is also interesting to note the contents of the previous comment by Winnie which highlight the issues in the PTPTN loan to student and gave a link to a proposal by tan keng liang of gerakan to give exemption to loan repayment. Why should some people need to take out loan and some get scholarship? What about those who take out loan and end up getting first class???
Besides that, with the 1malaysia policy, r we still having the quota system in local university????
he is delaying thinking the consequence of his decision on UNMO and naajib...thats all. Any upsets wou;d be disatrous to unmo now
ReplyDeleteIt's all about timing now. There are just too many things happening in the country now. Why waste this issue by drowning it out with other issues. Let's all wait till the situation becomes less volatile before injecting this fire into it.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, there is no pilitic will in making decision on this vital issue. Children are deserved better.
ReplyDeleteJust a student,
ReplyDeletethe exemption of PTPTN loan payment for 1st class student should be borne by the government through other mechanism (example channeling funds from scholarship to pay the PTPTN for the 1st class student). In such situation, PTPTN cannot give any excuse e.g. loan defaulter, etc.
If the government say no more money for scholarship, then the answer to the government is "PLEASE STOP WASTING MONEY BY GIVING SCHOLARSHIP TO UNDERSERVING STUDENTS". Give it to the one that actually perform and got 1st class.
Kian Ming, mind elaborating in your next article?
What is PTPTN?
ReplyDeletePTPTN means Pusat teknologi Pengeluaran Telor Negara
ReplyDeletethe policy of teaching maths n science in english is against cognitive load theory. i wonder what other research needs to be done.
ReplyDeletePTPTN is just a corporation which is no different from a LOAN SHARK, forcing student to take loan if they want to continue higher education.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY.
ReplyDeleteWhat we have is a terrible amount of inaction, while the students continue to suffer.
What we have are politicians leading our countries education policy, politicians who are looking to please everyone, even those with the wrong opinions.
Politicians who are afraid to lead and take action in the face of uncertainty. The outcome of the decision, (either way) would result in one group of people feeling hard done by. What they're doing now is trying to find a 'middle-ground' a situation that is neither here nor there.
That's wrong, the education ministry should be strong enough to take the bull by it's horn and make a decision, rather than leaving everything in Limbo.
Make a decision, is it staying or is it going? The longer we wait, the less chance we have of moving forward.
Another example of Government giving excuses when they can spend Billions of Ringgit for stupid project but cannot spend a few million for students!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2009/5/10/education/3848450&sec=education
Give exemptions to top grads
By KAREN CHAPMAN
STUDENTS who obtain first class honours in their undergraduate degrees should be exempted from repaying their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans.
Kedah Gerakan youth chief Tan Keng Liang in an open letter to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin dated Wednesday, said this would serve as recognition by the Government of the students’ academic excellence.
He said it would also be in line with the promotion of better quality undergraduates in local universities.
“The minister should also consider allowing a 30% discount for graduates when repaying their PTPTN loans if they obtain second class upper degrees,” he said in his open letter which was also distributed to the media.
Tan hoped Mohamed Khaled would consider the requests as before July 1, 2005, graduates who obtained first class honours could be exempted from the repayment of their loans, which has since been discontinued.
He said currently there were students who were given full scholarships to enter local universities before achieving any result and who might not perform up to expectation.
“It would be disappointing to see that Malaysian students who were not granted scholarships initially but who actually performed up to expectation, not being rewarded for their academic excellence,” he said.
In an immediate response, Mohamed Khaled said the Cabinet had decided on this matter about two years ago.
“We can only consider this when the financial situation of PTPTN is sustainable,” he said when contacted.
PTPTN chief executive officer Yunos Abd Ghani said the corporation was presently unable to consider the requests.
“The amount would be too much for the corporation to absorb,” he said.
On Tuesday, Mohamed Khaled had said the ministry was currently conducting research on how to ensure the sustainability of the PTPTN.
“If the PTPTN funds continue to operate as they are, we will have a RM42bil deficit by 2020,” he said.
The comment by PTPTN only makes me more piss off.....where is all the money wasted? I don't think it cost a lot to give exemption of repayment to 1st class student. How many 1st class student are there is this country???
ReplyDeleteJust a poor excuse.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteKian Ming,
ReplyDeleteso being rude just now as it is obvious that most scholarship r given to BUMI whether they can perform or not. WHen non-Bumi perform, they don't allow exemption for 1st class. I guess that they must have realised by 2005 that most people who get 1st class are non-Bumi.
BTW Please delete the last commnet.
I cannot see the reason why Education Minister must postpone decision. So many studies had been conducted on the PPMSI issue and so many things had been highlighted since Hishamuddin's time. I can sense that this is a delay tactic.
ReplyDeleteOn the PTPTN issue, I think this is something hidden deep inside the University students n i belief those students felt cheated when they score 1st class. Perhaps, we should get either Kian Ming or John Lee to post their views on this.
Personally, i cannot understand this PTPTN issue. No clue why good students cannot get scholarship and end up got to take own money from pocket to study and even worse is to take out loan from PTPTN. No wonder why first class student will not serve our country!
ReplyDeleteis it me, or does the posting here focus mostly on whining? hehe it's cool to confess ur disgruntlement but it won't get ya anywhere.
ReplyDeleteshouldn't we be discussing the alternatives that can be taken to make things better? or perhaps, all this is a sign.
education = 'whining 101'?
well then "unknown" we are all ears to your alternatives on this issue.
ReplyDeleteand Pete, don't forget the PTPTN loan borrowers who seemed to suffer from amnesia when it's time to pay their due.
I agree that 1st class student should be exempted from paying back PTPTN Loan. THis people should in the first place be given shcolarship by the government.
ReplyDeleteIn a world economics that is dominated by capitalism, who wants to give a SHIT about "science and mathematics".
ReplyDeleteThese are the true wealth generators and should be actively pursued and sought after, not only be every Malaysians but all human beings on this planet.
Debt
Stocks and shares
Loans
Mortgages
Risks
Financial derivatives
Bonds
T-bills
Certificates
Insurance
Mutual fund
Securities
Equities
lol anonymous.
ReplyDeletei guess u didnt study economics that well.
econs speaks of organization of resources and specialization.
if everyone is financially oriented as u proposed, who's gonna attend to u when u're sick? a banker? lol. an investor? lol.
who gives a shit? well.. ur doctor, ur dentist, ur professor, the engineer that made ur car and the list goes on.
economy is a 'concerted' effort. wealth is generated through a synergy of parties, and not just the particular few.
until u know what economy entails, please refrain urself from making inane statement bout it.
as an effort to entertain another anonymous's ear, there are many alternatives to this issue.
ReplyDeletewe could try to apply Hull's effect, where the teaching of maths and science is performed in stages... not all at once.
for instance, perhaps when the child is first introduced, only a small portion of maths is taught in english i.e. just one topic. as he becomes more comfortable with the language, the sphere of influence is expanded, including other topics of maths n science. expansion is done with each passing year.
we could restructure the emphasis of learning english. take out literature. use the time to include an alternative subsection - "learning in english". this way, students can be advised on how best to learn maths and science in english. thus, learning is more integrated. for those who r not taking core science like physics, they can apply it to "learning account in english".
there are many ways to attack the problem.. many alternatives to concoct a viable solution.. whining about PTPTN or giving weird comment about econs won't help though.
then again, it's all about motive. what's the motive of this blog? to offer creative ways of solving an educational problem? or merely, to provide a superb alternative for people, who are desperate of venting their disgruntlement?
the former, leads to evolution.
the latter, well.. it can give u higher hit count on ur blog.
PTPTN ??? Sounds weird that Malaysian student need to borrow money to study. It is even worse to hear that 1st class student does not get any assistance from government and still need to repay. That i am assuming what Collin posted above is correct.
ReplyDeleteNot necessary, all doctors and engineers in Malaysia are replaceble and disposable.
ReplyDeleteJust bring in foreigners with work permits to replace them if they are rebellious just like what you see in a capitalistic nation-Singapore.
The "tyranny of the majority" reigns supremacy!
lol to anonymous.
ReplyDeletei think ur posting here brings more humor than elucidation.
"Not necessary, all doctors and engineers in Malaysia are replaceble and disposable"
the person making the above statement clearly knows nothing about our nation's policy.
the word 'disposable' offers the best laughter of all. would it be cost effective to do so?
i bet in ur eyes, doctors are as abundant and important as the promoters at a mall.
hate to say this, but perhaps, u should consider being a comedian?
:P
ashley:
ReplyDeletewhy is it weird for malaysian students to borrow $ in the pursuit of education?
most families in malaysia have the average income of approximately RM3000, with barely anything left to spare. for instance, someone i know can only spare RM100-RM200 a month for emergency. his accumulated income with his wife is around RM3800.
the initial expenditure of starting out at public universities
would be at least RM2000. at a private college? at least RM5000.
it'd take these families bout a year just to cough up the initial expenses. what bout tuition fees?
i can only assume that u are completely oblivious of the socio economic status of the families in malaysia to say that it's 'weird'.
i got a scholarship... and yeah the scholarship was pretty much used for a splurge, but to others that are not so fortunate, PTPTN is a necessity.
dont be ignorant of others and their hardship.
sigh.. anyone got anything constructive to say or have i stumbled upon an anti lethean?
"the unknown": The Anon above you was posting sarcasm, and Ashley meant that it's "strange" in the sense that Malaysian Public Education should be subsidized more, to the point where most people will not need to take loans. Get a clue, a brain, or both before you assume that others are not as intelligent.
ReplyDeleteDear Editorial,
ReplyDeletein order to settle the issue raise by the "Unknown" and "Coltz", i suggest you bring us some info into the current policy of PTPTN.
Otherwise, ignorant people like the "Unknown" will not have a clue of the meaning of PTPTN and subsidizing first class students.
To Unknown,
ReplyDeletewhat i meant earlier is that it is weird that why "first class students" cannot get scholarship or be exempted from repaying study loans from government of Malaysia.
If you are in Europe, such things are rare. Anyway, it is just my comparison as a foreigner in your country.
For "Unknown", I am cutting the above article from Collin so that you can read closser to your eyes.
ReplyDeleteGive exemptions to top grads
By KAREN CHAPMAN
STUDENTS who obtain first class honours in their undergraduate degrees should be exempted from repaying their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans.
Kedah Gerakan youth chief Tan Keng Liang in an open letter to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin dated Wednesday, said this would serve as recognition by the Government of the students’ academic excellence.
He said it would also be in line with the promotion of better quality undergraduates in local universities.
“The minister should also consider allowing a 30% discount for graduates when repaying their PTPTN loans if they obtain second class upper degrees,” he said in his open letter which was also distributed to the media.
Tan hoped Mohamed Khaled would consider the requests as before July 1, 2005, graduates who obtained first class honours could be exempted from the repayment of their loans, which has since been discontinued.
He said currently there were students who were given full scholarships to enter local universities before achieving any result and who might not perform up to expectation.
“It would be disappointing to see that Malaysian students who were not granted scholarships initially but who actually performed up to expectation, not being rewarded for their academic excellence,” he said.
In an immediate response, Mohamed Khaled said the Cabinet had decided on this matter about two years ago.
“We can only consider this when the financial situation of PTPTN is sustainable,” he said when contacted.
PTPTN chief executive officer Yunos Abd Ghani said the corporation was presently unable to consider the requests.
“The amount would be too much for the corporation to absorb,” he said.
On Tuesday, Mohamed Khaled had said the ministry was currently conducting research on how to ensure the sustainability of the PTPTN.
“If the PTPTN funds continue to operate as they are, we will have a RM42bil deficit by 2020,” he said.
lol. this is getting funnier :P
ReplyDelete1. "PTPTN ??? Sounds weird that Malaysian student need to borrow money to study."
2. "It is even worse to hear that 1st class student does not get any assistance from government and still need to repay. That i am assuming what Collin posted above is correct."
read both of the phrases coltz. they are two different statements.
my previous posting was referring to the FIRST statement and not the second. i have a brain, i know semantics, do u? :P
the first statement makes a general assertion of a particular situation. the second, speaks of a specific instance that makes things worse.
ashley, im well aware of the situation in most europe countries like germany and etc but apparently malaysia is adopting a different stance on education, which is more similar to countries like the states (US) and not them (europe).
please quote preceding cases that are 'pertinent' to the issue. why compare the case to europe when malaysia does not share the same ideals with them?
it's like saying..
"owh.. i think it's weird that students in US need to borrow money to study.."
is it weird? lawl..
and owh ashley.. the cutting wasnt necessary. in case u havent noticed, i was arguing about ur FIRST statement and not ur second. so please don't create any 'funny' diversion. wont work with me babe :P
now, should i cease from my laughter or are u truly determined to 'amuse' me further?
why are people more interested of arguing bout the PTPTN issue that bears no positive consolation when they can focus on things of more 'constructive' nature like how the teaching of maths and science can be improved?
ReplyDeletei better bail from this whining parade.
"the unknown": Exactly, I AM referring to the first statement you mentioned, since the second statement is irrelevant as far as that part of the debate goes, as shown in your post. What you apparently do NOT get is that she(?) was arguing for the responsibility of the government, not out-of-pocket for the students. Your entire argument is based on the assumption that ashley was all for the families coughing up their own money instead of borrowing, which is a gross misinterpretation by any standards.
ReplyDeleteYou know, some of us learned a little more than whatever "Semantics 101" you took. Please don't desecrate this field unless you are absolutely sure what you're talking about.
I would rather not get into the debates of the second statement though, which is where it seems to be heading in the follow-up.
lol.
ReplyDeleteis it 'weird' that the government r not enthused to help?
was she born yesterday?
it seems that ur perception of the entire episode condescends her even more.
she is no longer empathetic as portrayed by my initial assumption, but purely ignorant! lawl.
i'd love to an intellectual discourse on semantics with u coltz. :P when can we start?
I shall refrain from such an "intellectual discourse" with someone who cannot debate logically and coherently. Sorry, there are way too many nonsensical arguments in the world for anyone to pick apart one by one.
ReplyDeletecoltz:
ReplyDeleteahh.. i gotta love the cause of ur decline.
hehe was my suggestion on how to improve the teaching of maths and science illogical and incoherent?
lol.
are u sure the above is the true reason, or maybe u're juz not up to the task?
:P dont worry, i wont tell anyone.
allow me to explain things to u, given ur diminished ability to understand the issue.
let us define a simple word..
weird
weirdness is simply something that deviates from the norm
i assumed that ashley wasnt aware of the socio economic status of the people in malaysia. as such, she failed in being empathetic when she used the word weird.
u implied that ashley said things are weird because the government are not helping the students.
why is it weird that the government is not really interested to help the student?
they've been doing it all this while.
as such, u're implying that ashley is completely ignorant of the way our government works. ignorant enough to say that it's weird for them not wanting to help the students in a better way.
again, it's never weird.
PTPTN is 'congruent' with the government's plan. it is NOT deviating from the norm. ever. period..
now, should i return the floor to u, or are u still fumbling with ur preparation for rebuttal, in twisting the semantic of 'weird'?
:P nuff said.
ps: im just wondering, can u define logic without taking a peek into wikipedia? lawl
all this argument by the UNKNOWN is just pathetic.
ReplyDeleteCan the editorial here please clear the air?
I think we should have an article on this PTPTN issue.
Perhaps the UNKNOWN can be smarter after the reading something on PTPTN!
ReplyDeletelol. i know the person who initially devised the conceptual framework of PTPTN. he's one of the lecturers in UKM. i urge u to study PTPTN urself and understand the implication of its design.
ReplyDeleteanyone can call me dumb.
even a seven year old can do that, while picking his nose. lawl!
it doesnt require any intelligence to criticize me. it doesnt require any research to accuse that i'm wrong. yeap, u can sip a cup of coffee, while watching AF to do that. :P
maybe that explains why u opt to do so, anonymous. lawl.
y bother cogitating over what i say when making fun of it, is so much easier, and demands less intellectual effort :P
what need u do to understand my argument?
well, u may have to do some research beyond what is written or portrayed on TV. u may need to think more critically. u may even need to meet up with the person who concocted PTPTN. the question becomes, :P are u prepared to do that? lol
reading something on PTPTN like a newspaper cutting won't make one smarter. it could make a person more informed, but not smarter. lol. hope u can differentiate intelligence and knowledge.. so please.. if u're desperate of making fun of me, at least do it right. lawl.
y are ppl so obsessed with PTPTN?
i dont see anyone, not one person, who chooses to speak on how to improve the teaching of maths and science in english.
y is this so? are u all more attracted to negativity than improvement?
again i ask, have i stumbled upon another anti-lethean?
dear the Unknown,
ReplyDeletei am just one of the reader of this blog and find it amusing that u try to potray yourself as a very intelligent person. However, after reading all your comments, I think u r just trying too hard in telling people u r smart.
Whether u r intelligent or not is another matter.
Personally, i think other comments here are merely trying to improve an important aspect in higher education. A lot of people takes out PTPTN to go to local university, especially poor students. Even my brother's daughter took PTPTN and is in her final year.
Just my views.
"Future of our national language"? Come on! No one in this world will use Bahasa Melayu. Malaysia is a third world country, Bahasa Melayu will never be lingua franca. If we do not want to be left behind, we have to learn other languages especially English.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to go to the top engineering school, go to Germany! Therefore, you need to learn German, not Bahasa Melayu. If you want to study at Ivy League school, go to USA. Therefore, you need to learn English, not Bahasa Melayu.
To delay issue such as this is ridiculous! Dont mind Japan, cause Japan is a developed country. So students who want to study there would have to learn their language.
So, why having second thoughts on teaching science and math in english.
To do this, it would have to start from the early stage. Kindergarten for example. It's time to improve our education system.
My kids are studying at IB school... It's a really good school. Bahasa Melayu is one of the compulsory course. So, do not be afraid cause Bahasa melayu will never die even if Sceince and Maths are taught in English.