For Dong Zong, increased Bahasa Malaysia teaching time threatens vernacular schools
A Chinese educationist group wants Bahasa Malaysia to be taught as a second language in vernacular schools, saying the increased teaching time for the national language will cause “serious damage” to vernacular education.
In a statement today, the United Chinese Schools Committee Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) said that the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025, to be implemented in 2014, is intended for the implementation of policies and measures for monolingual schools and racial assimilation.
"It is to establish a 'nation state', to realise the ultimate objective of 'one nation, one race, one culture, one language and one school stream'.
"This will certainly have a detrimental impact on vernacular schools," Dong Zong said.
The blueprint said that the teaching time for Bahasa Malaysia, from Standard 4 to 6 in Chinese and Tamil primary schools, will be increased sharply from 150 minutes a week in 2002 to 570 minutes, including 300 minutes of extra tutoring in the language.
It also proposed that vernacular primary schools adopt the Primary School Standard Curriculum (Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah) or KSSR, which entails 270 minutes of formal teaching time.
On the proposal, Dong Zong said: "The KSSR curriculum implemented from 2011 to 2013 for the first phase (Standard 1 to 3) in vernacular primary schools has led to numerous problems and created a detrimental impact on the learning experience of students.
"Will the authorities continue with the implementation of the existing KSSR curriculum for Standard 4 to 6, or will there now be other arrangements?"
The education group warned the Education Ministry that a revision of textbooks, teaching methods and examinations for the national language was necessary to avoid various problems in schools.
"The authorities have not solved the issues of availability of teachers, curriculum, teaching methods, textbooks and examinations fundamentally in the light of the actual circumstances and needs of Chinese and Tamil primary schools.
"Furthermore, the authorities have not trained Chinese and Tamil primary school teachers on the use of method for teaching Bahasa Malaysia as a second language. Certainly this will exacerbate the problems."
Dong Zong also said several incidents had taken place recently that indicate that Putrajaya was looking to sideline vernacular schools.
These include: the non-approval for certain Chinese Independent High Schools to enrol foreign students; the sharp increase in teaching permit fees for Chinese Independent High School teachers; the failure of the government to allocate institutionalised funding to conform secondary schools in the Budget; and the shortage of teachers in Chinese and Tamil primary schools.
"The teaching time for Bahasa Malaysia from Standard 4 to 6 ought to be 180 minutes and the availability of teachers, curriculum, textbooks and examinations for the teaching of Bahasa Malaysia should also be properly planned.
“Only then would there be conformity with education principles, and students would be able to learn the Bahasa Malaysia effectively," added the association.
Dong Zong yesterday had reiterated its claim that the latest education blueprint was devoid of policies and measures to ensure the continuity and development of vernacular schools.
The association also said the gist of the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 is to implement the "ultimate objective" – monolingual educational policies. – December 21, 2013.
