KANGAR, 5 MARCH 2009: Former Education Minister Tan Sri Musa Mohamad has admitted that there are weaknesses in the implementation of the policy to teach and learn science and mathematics in English.
Musa, who was the Education Minister when the government began implementing the policy six years ago, said although its intention was good, the policy failed to achieve its objectives.
“The problem can only be overcome if educators strive to enhance their command of the language and encourage its usage through various support facilities, including teaching and learning materials,” he said here today.
He said the Education Ministry, educators and students should act decisively to overcome the weaknesses if the policy’s objectives were to be achieved.
“It is also important to use the language in our daily lives to enhance our understanding and command of the language,” said Musa, who is a former Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor.
He added that having a good command of English would not cause the Malays to lose their identity.
Earlier when delivering a talk on current issues in the country’s higher-learning education, Musa said the policy to use Malay language as a medium of instruction had been effective.
But he added that most reference books and journals are in English, which should be translated quickly to avoid a lack of reference material in the Malay language.
— Bernama
