Displeased with the government's decision to scrap the language switch policy, it's architect Dr Mahathir Mohamad is seeking the public's opinion on the matter.The internet savvy octogenarian has started a poll on his blog, which requires visitors to click on either 'yes' or 'no' to express their stand.
Incidentally, Mahathir's blog Che Det - named after his nickname in Kedah - is one of the most popular blogs in the country, drawing millions of visitors.
"I am not surprised over the disappointment and even anger towards the government's decision on the teaching of maths and science," he said in his latest posting. "Seems to me like the government is not listening to the voice of the people," he added. In view of this, the 84-year-old former premier felt that a blog poll might enlighten the government as to the opinions of the people. After explaining to visitors what the poll is about, Mahathir added: "I will then try to let the government know your opinion."
At press time, a total of 2,150 people had voted, with a whopping 72 percent disagreeing with the government's decision.
Yesterday, Mahathir said although the government had sought his views on the matter, it was not reflected in the decision.
The former premier also denied Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's statement that he was 'consulted'.
"That was not a consultation. I was just briefed on what was already decided," he said.
Mahathir also questioned the data, which Muhyiddin claimed, showed that the policy had failed to meet its objectives.
"I think the figures shown are not accurate. They were comparing urban and rural students.
mahathir blog poll on govt move on english language use in teaching science and maths 090709"Naturally, rural students perform poorer that urban students, not just in science and mathematics but also other subjects," he said.
Mahathir had bulldozed the language switch policy in 2003 amid strong protest from various quarters. The policy required the teaching of science and maths in English.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin had announced that beginning 2012, the two subjects will be taught in Bahasa Malaysia at national schools.
As for national-type schools, he added, the subjects will be taught in the respective mother-tongues.
http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/2009/07/the-teaching-of-maths-and-scie.html
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3 comments:
The Tun was the Man who outlawed public opinion polls. His argument at that time. They only get the opinion of a 1000 people and call it public opinion.And by the way while we are on the subject of teaching science and maths in english it will be political suicide to do so given the rural base in this country. If you go to a town such as Jerantut you will find that your english is of little use for your day to day operation.And in Malaysia we have many many Jerantuts all over the country.Ramalx
For me the goverment not just managed and organised the country but at the same times developed the ways of thinkings and educating the peoples,because we are talkings about the globalisation.In terms of science and mathematic in malay,I absolutely disagreed with it because we are talking on the developements of the never endings technologies.where we want our nation to be proud of.we want our peoples to keep on downloadings the knowledges all over the world.The failure as discribes by the TPM shows the weakness of goverment implementations.When we proposed and emphasised certain ideas,it is not the experiments but the statements that we wants the peoples to improvise,that's why we spends billions of RM to make it happened.why not we improve the system instead of demolished it.
Some body is watching over you. Ram
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