TEACHING OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN ENGLISH

SIBU: Sarawak will continue to teach Science and Mathematics subjects in English (PPSMI) despite the decision by Putrajaya to terminate the programme.

Education, Science and Technology Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said this was the wish of the state government, which was also in line with English being the state’s second official language in accordance with Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“We wish to continue this programme (PPSMI) and to ensure its success. We don’t want to rush things and because of that we want to start from the lowest level first. 

He said the PPSMI had been implemented in schools in the state beginning this year.

“We want to teach both Science and Mathematics in English because we believe the importance of both subjects. Many of the resources for both subjects are found in English,” said the Nangka assemblyman.

According to Annuar, a total of 2,835 teachers and academicians had been trained through the Teacher Education Institute (IPG) involving 212 lecturers for the implementation of the PPSMI. The government had spent an estimated RM11 million for training, preparation of the teaching modules, printing of textbooks, working books, teaching materials, among others for the programme,” he told Suara Sarawak in an interview.

He said it would be a big lost and waste should Sarawak were to discontinue with the programme.