Pragmatism is an important way of approach towards certain matters in life especially in the new order of world today. Being pragmatic also allows you to widen your horizon in viewing issues and help you analyze anything properly towards a practical solution.
I had a chance to participate in a dialogue session with one of the key senior minister in Malaysian cabinet recently. During that session, I took the chance to ask him 2 questions (all in Bahasa Melayu), not just to steal the limelight but more inclined towards receiving his personal opinions and views regarding certain important issues (this is very very crucial as he was said to be one our prime minister candidate in the near future...you have to know who he is and what he is running for before you place your support right?).
My first question was related to the factors affecting investor's interest in bringing their foreign direct investments (FDI) to Malaysia. In the factor of providing cheap labour force, China, India and Vietnam overthrow us in multiple times and there is no way of competing in this factor. In offering skilled technicians and expertise, most of our good engineers and scientists prefer to work overseas, in favor of independent and technology-savvy environment of work as well as receiving higher pay. This brain drain however is not just a national issue but also affects other countries in this nearly borderless world of trade and human capital. In the past, we used to sell to the world our political stability and harmoniously living races as factors to attract investors into our country. However, with recent trend of demonstrations, challenges towards the country leadership and one statutory declarations after another, it is obvious that this factor is no longer a significant one. So, I asked him about his opinion and what is the next best thing to do. My second question (thanks to Ashraf for the idea) revolve in the issue of revoking Maths and Science in English policy so that it could be taught in Bahasa Melayu like before. This was somehow in accordance to a proposed declaration by a southern state in Malaysia where this minister came from. I stated that any move to revoke the policy is nevertheless a move backwards (langkah ke belakang) and wish to see his personal view towards this.
The minister, being well-versed in politics, an experienced one and senior to many portfolios in the government did answer to my two questions professionally. He did answer that apart from offering cheap labour force, Malaysia is well-known for its good infrastructure and good policy in securing trade activities. China may be a cheap place to venture into but unknown extra taxes and charges implied by the government made most of the investors reluctant to stay. Furthermore, Malaysia is still politically stable in comparison to its neighbouring countries and current demos and protests are mostly outcome of the former TPM's personal war to aim for the nation's premiership. However, the minister was still strong with his stand in revoking the teaching of Maths and Science in English back to Bahasa Melayu with a justification that Japanese could progress much in science and technology by using Japanese language so why not us too.
I have no chance to counter question him as this is not the noble parliament and I am just a petty player in this sordid drama of life. In my point of view, Japanese could progress so much by using Japanese language as they themselves are the technology and instrumentation developer while we are just the technology user. Japanese could did their chemical analysis by themselves by using their self-build Japanese version of Shimadzu analytical machines while exporting the English version of it to the rest of the world but for us, without any knowledge in English, we could not operate the machine and far from it that we could develop a Bahasa Melayu version of it, either software (maybe we could) or hardware wise (anyone have any idea?). I did realize that there were flaws in implementing the Maths and Science in English teachings but that is not just the reason for us to stop it. It may be difficult to find good teachers to teach at the rural areas but by familiarizing ourselves with English at early age, it could provide us a key to the whole world. With English proficiency, maybe one day we could have the chance to see our Malaysian-owned breakfast cafe selling Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik at the banks of the river Thames or at the busy Spring Street at the corner of Lafayette in New York.
Maybe teaching Maths and Science in English to standard one pupils is too early for them. We could start with a subject like 'English for Mathematics and Science' to familiarize the pupils with terms related to the subjects which will provide them with better understanding to proceed to the later stage. Our educationists surely have a lot more better ideas than mine if they stop making educational institution just as stepping stones to reach for higher posts in the ministry and concentrate in doing their job to educate the new generation at their best.
I may sound convincing but I am just a petty actor in this sordid world*...hope that my voice will be heard one day...thank you to MSAJ Kansai for giving me an opportunity to attend this dialogue session, salam to all and have a pleasant week ahead...
*credit to yt as this is formerly her ym status.
(Picture in display is not related at all to this post. I just took it on my way back from the high-tea. It shows the riverside of Kamo River near Shijo at summer nights where young couples date. A sociology professor even did a research on the average distance between couples...dunno for what purpose..hehehe)
6 comments:
If we want English usage to be continued, then all Malaysian should leave behind Chinese and Indian schools. Bahasa Melayu only taught during BM period and Mandarin/Tamil only during their periods.It may sounds aggresive but we want to be fair for everybody.Bahasa itu jiwa bangsa, bahasa juga yang menyatukan semua. I think that our education system is still lacking somewhere, maybe I am not an expert to give that statement, just an opinion. So, what do you think Mr Kojack?
Abg Ajul,
Have you ever heard of an era after the downfall of Japan where Japan accepts all sources of knowledges from outside to be learnt and applied inside their country? Later after their country grew towards better life and stability, they translated all of the sources into their own language. And that's what we see today. Japan grows along with the pride of their language. It was one of the most strategic plans of Japan, from my point of view. Probably Malaysia should do the same. For our country to develop we should take in knowledges in the most practical way without neglecting our own bahasa. The first step is, Mathematics and Sciences should be taught in English at this stage.
Btw, i was just organizing a Malay debate competition with FDI and Malay Language topics last week. Haha
Guess what, NZ is not in favour of FDI! Yet berlambak barangan made in china here...hmm..
this thing about teaching science in english and bahasa melayu have their own pros n cons n s for me...i cant decide it myself which side i shud stick....being one of science student myself, i feel it is really important 2 start learning all those things in english early but i myself have no problem despite being thaught of science n math in bahasa since i was in primary...maybe they should emphasize more during english classes...n make sure all the student can catch up with evrything they thaught.n maybe the student themselves should have interest in improving their english...that is no doubt...then there was time when i start tutoring 2 secondary school student who was really left behind in science n math juz because they were thaught in english...that start me thinking how many more of our student are still left behind. n i found out that there are a lot. i was so disappointed by this fact that i think after all they should start teaching both subs in bahasa melayu again.all they want to do is trying to move forward but the fact is they are going backward because there will be lots of student who are science n math "blind" in the future coz they cant understand it.if u can read some of the comment in the newspaper (which is 1 of my favourite part) u can see that there are a lot of parents begging for the government to change back this policy as their children are all failing in both subjects.we cant blame these parents for not sending their children 2 tuition classes or converse wif their children in english as they are too not so fluent themselves.i dont know...this is juz an opinion from someone who saw a single parent begged her to teach her daughter n son so they'll pass their exam and she did all she can but both of them still failed...so who to b blame here?am i to b blame here for not being a good teacher to both student?or....u tell me
..live traffic u giler la..everytime i bkk kt office kl dia tulis i kt japan..
all the best for ur upcoming exams!!
Dear Siput Sedut,
For now, I still do prefer that Chinese and Indian Schools be maintained as it is as long as it still serve the purpose as a buffer for racial harmony in our beloved Malaysia. So far, Malaysia is the only country in the world that allows ancestorial background schools to be formed (quoted from Tun M). By the way, Siput Sedut's suggestions would be a very good one later when our society is ready enough to accept the concept of 'Bangsa Malaysia' in a true sense. At that time, sacrifice and high tolerance between each other are really necessary. Let's work and hope that we could managed to see the emergence of true 'Bangsa Malaysia' in our lifetime...
Dear my cousin Mimi and Anonymous,
I may wrote like I am not championing the Malay right by supporting Math in Science being taught in English. I may also wrote like I never care about all the leftovers in the rural areas when their teachers themselves teach English in Bahasa Melayu. But, what I do love to emphasize is the fact that the matter of policy especially in education should never be a political instrument. Many will fell as victims if the policy in education being changed without analysis and deep thoughts as well as wasting the taxpayer's money and weakens our youngsters. Time to stop 'flip-flopping' and stop making universities as a reward after the general election. We should erect universities to cater for our nation's need, not to make every single state have it when they voted for you. Why change it back to Bahasa Melayu when we are already halfway through and nearly fulfilled the objectives..Why now? To show that we are true 'flip=floppers'??? Stop it please...
Post a Comment