Tuesday, May 08, 2012
EDUCATION DIALOGUES: Ministry also studying legal implications
THE Education Ministry is still gathering the views of relevant quarters before making any decision to reintroduce English-medium schools.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the matter, including legal implications, would have to be discussed first before a decision could be made.
He said several quarters had called for the reintroduction of such schools and the ministry was gathering views through national education dialogues.
He was replying to a question by Senator Dr S. Ramakrishnan who wanted to know why the government could not reintroduce English-medium schools when it allowed Chinese, Tamil and religious schools to coexist with national schools.
“Of late, there have been calls for it to be revived and we are listening,” said Wee.
He said the ministry was constantly trying to improve students’ command of English as a communication and knowledge tool.
“English also allows them to use the Internet to network with overseas students.”
He also said the ministry was carrying out various programmes and activities in English in all schools.
The ministry would ensure that English remained a core subject.
Wee added that the ministry had spent millions of ringgit to bring in native speakers of English to train local teachers.
Read more: Still seeking views on English schools – General – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/still-seeking-views-on-english-schools-1.81656#ixzz1uEjUDd7Z
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