KUCHING: Some academicians are divided in their opinion on the abolishment of the ongoing Dual Language Programme (DLP) at primary and secondary school levels.
Dr Zuraini Seruji who is the deputy dean (Student Affair) Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) stated that she agreed with Majlis Perundangan Melayu (MPM)’s opinion because the English language needs to be empowered on its own.
“Mathematics and Science should not be an issue in order to improve the English proficiency among the students.
The English teaching method needs to be reevaluated if we want the students to not only be interested in English again, but also to be good at it,” she said.
She added that the effectiveness of DLP should be reevaluated as well.
“A study at one of the schools in Kuching shows that only two per cent of the teachers have use or communicate in English,” she said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
When asked whether the students and teachers would be affected if the abolishment is to happen in the future, she said no, Mathematics and Science can be taught in the Malay language.
But Dr Ambigapathy Pandian, who is the dean of Faculty of Language and Communication, UNIMAS felt otherwise on the issue.
“In this day and age, it is not either or in between, instead we need both of the languages.
“I would strongly propose a bilingual programme with a focus on Malay and English,” he said.
He added that if the DLP were to be abolished, the proficiency in English, especially in Science and Mathematics’ terminology would be limited.
Earlier, non-governmental organisation MPM has called on the Ministry of Education to abolish the ongoing Dual Language Programme at primary and secondary school levels.
