Hishammuddin questions police report by writers group

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has questioned the police report lodged by the national writers association, Gapena, on the policy to teach mathematics and science in English.
“We have been implementing the policy since six years ago, even before I was appointed the education minister.
“So we are a bit wary of such action... what is Gapena’s motive in lodging the report only now?” he said when met by reporters in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Gapena lodged the police report against the Education Ministry yesterday claiming that the policy contravened the Education Act 1996 which stated that the Malay language should be the medium of instruction in all national education institutions except in national-type schools.
Gapena said the policy also contravened the Article 152(1) and 152(6) of the Federal Constitution on the use of Malay as the national language for all.
He said the government had given the opportunities to all to state their views on the issue but it would be impossible to make changes overnight.
“Several roundtable sessions had been carried out. In the end, the decision will have to be tabled to the cabinet,” he said.
Asked to comment on the statement by the Malaysian National Muslim Students Association that based on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study there had been a drastic drop in students’ performance in the two subjects, Hishammuddin said, the report was not a reflection of the true situation.
“The examination papers for the two subjects are still in bilingual. So there is no reasons to say that the policy causes the decline in students’ performance,” he said.

tunku : the ministry should not make their decision following the protest from political groups or NGOs.the ministry should make a poll at each and every school in this country, let the parents decide what they want for their children.as a parent, i support PPSMI totally.that will be the best solution.i believe there are more people(majority) supporting it.i meet parents at school and most of them wants PPSMI to continue.after all UM research findings showed that PPSMI is a success thing but need more improvement.we hope the ministry won't bow down to these groups.