Dear Editor, SHOULD Science and Maths be taught in English? The English for the teaching of Mathematics and Science policy was implemented in stages beginning in 2003 for students throughout the country.

In terms of performance in urban and rural areas, there is still a noticeable difference. Ac cording to the Malaysian Examinations Council chairman Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, urb an candidates performed better in both the science and arts stream with 13.71 per cent obtaining all As compared to 4.62 per cent in the rural areas, mostly due to the lack of facilities and infrastructure.

I believe it is necessary to continue to teach students in English because English is a global language and will give students a head start in their tertiary education.

However, the challenges must be identified and overcome to ensure smooth implementation of the policy.

The science subjects in institutions of higher learning are taught in English as most reference materials are in English and translation into Bahasa Malaysia is difficult.

Though teachers may be proficient in English, teaching students who are not proficient in the language or where both teachers and students are not proficient in English forces teachers to revert to Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction.

I suggest the Education Ministry provides motivational incentives, promotions and ad equate supply of teaching modules and reference books as well as a reduce paperwork. The Education Minister must be more sensitive to these problems.

The government must ensure that rural students have facilities such as the Internet, books and references, in step with their urban friends.

Hafsah Mohamed

Nilai

Source: Malay Mail – April 25, 2008