English Programmes To Kick Off Next Year

The two new programmes to improve the proficiency of English in schools mentioned in the 2016 Budget will kick off in stages next year with 300 schools alredy identified for the pilot project.

The programmes - the Dual Language Programme and the Highly Immersive Programme - were given a budget of RM38.5 million by the government in an effort to strengthen the use of the language in schools.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the Dual Language Programme was based on parent-teacher engagement that would see subjects like Mathematics and Science being taught in English.

"This programme can only be held if schools and teachers receive the consent of parents.

"It is still at the engagement stage between the two parties, and will only involve certain subjects, among them, Mathematics and Science," he said.

The Highly Immersive Programme, on the other hand, involves the use of English outside the curriculum, Mahdzir said.

"This programme will see schools using English during extra-curricular activities, societies and clubs.

"Although 300 schools have been identified for the pilot project, both programmes will take place in stages before they are expanded to other schools," he said during his visit to the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Islamic Education Campus in Bangi here yesterday.

On another matter, Mahdzir said the ministry was planning to look into the number of students in education faculties at universities to ensure there was no excess of education graduates.

"An excess of these graduates will lead to a pool of unemployed teachers who have qualifications to teach. Education training must meet supply and demand," he said.

Present were IPG director Datuk Sulaiman Wak and IPG Islamic Education Campus director Nik Samihah Nik Mohd Maidin.

Source: New Straits Times (28 October 2015)