KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Oct 2008: The decision on whether to continue teaching mathematics and science in English will only be made after this year’s Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination results are out.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the decision will be made after taking into consideration all views.
“During discussions in Parliament, we have heard the views of both sides (those who support the idea and those who oppose). The decision will only be made after an analysis of the UPSR results, having a roundtable discussion and considering the views of interested parties,” he said.
He said he will not make a decision based solely on emotions and political sentiments.
“A decision will be made only after detailed study and discussions,” Hishammuddin told reporters after officiating the 2008 Teachers of Excellence Conference here today.
He also said the government had approved “special to holder acting posts” for 233 headmasters to be in Grade DG44.
That decision, he said, was a result of a proposal by representatives of teacher associations and unions who asked that promotion of teachers from DG41 to DG44 be speeded up.
He said the decision was historical in the country’s education system as this was the first group of headmasters who were in the DG44 grade.
Commenting on a proposal by MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai to abolish the 30% equity for bumiputras in public-listed companies, Hishammuddin said the suggestion was not appropriate at this time.
“The percentage is just a figure. Actually in this uncertain global economic situation we must concentrate on how to strengthen the country’s economy. The people are frustrated with racially-tinged discussions.
“They want us (the government) to work,” he said.
Hishammuddin, who is also Umno Youth chief, said he worried that support for the Barisan Nasional would be eroded if there were too many differences among its members. — Bernama
