Teaching in the mother tongue

It was interesting to read your report ‘Better to teach in mother tongues, says UNESCO’ NST 13 May 2011. Research do show that children learn subjects better in their mother tongue, as argued by Dr. Irina Bokova, the director-general of UNESCO. 

Perhaps, in the context of current repeated debates over teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) in the country, this statement could alleviate some of the fears and unhappiness expressed by some quarters with regards to teaching of Science and Mathematics in vernacular languages and in bahasa Malaysia. 

It is always a challenge for a child to study subjects like Science and Mathematics in a language other than his or her mother tongue. These subjects are very concept based and surely a child will face difficulties in getting the concepts and notions correct while studying these subjects.

These subjects should be continued to be taught in the languages like Mandarin and Tamil in vernacular schools, and in the Malay language in national primary schools. 

Of course, English should be taught from Year One for the kids in the vernacular and national schools. Let them learn and master English as a second language, rather than trying to master the language through subjects like Science and Mathematics. 

The policy of the Ministry of Education to uphold Bahasa Malaysia and to strengthen the English Language (MBMMBI) should be supported by all. As stated in the objectives of MBMMBI, Bahasa Malaysia as the national language is a medium that unites the nation. Besides nation building, BM is also the lingua franca of fellow Malaysians. Bahasa Malaysia is the soul of the nation.

At the same time, efforts need to be made by all to master the English Language so that we are not left out in the pursuit of acquiring science and technological knowledge. Of course, English is indeed the international language and mastery of the language enables the exploration of knowledge which is vital for all to compete at the national and global level. 

But, at the same time, we cannot also deny the notion that access to this knowledge through vernacular and national language is indeed possible, as these languages have also been developed over these years to be a language of science and technology. 

Let us all, therefore support MBMMBI and the policy decision made by the government. I believe the policy will surely benefit all our children in the future.