Maths and Science in English

I applaud the PM’s decision to teach Maths and Science in English.

It’s definitely a step forward in ensuring our students are equipped to succeed in a world where English and science are important factors in a nations growth and prosperity.

However when this policy was last introduced then rescinded there were many factors that lead to it.

Among the chief reasons were the fact that the science and maths teachers weren’t proficient enough in English to deliver their subjects effectively.

We can’t have English teachers teaching maths and science but teachers who are science and maths graduates to teach well in English.

The reasons why the policy was reversed the first time should be studied deeply and the policy should only be implemented when all shortcomings and gaps are overcome.

Also a very comprehensive and deep engagement should take place with the stakeholders to ensure they see the importance and relevance of the policy and embrace the change.

This would also be key in making the policy a success.

These steps take time and the ministry should be given leeway time wise to comprehensively and holistically evaluate analyse and solve all issues so that in the future the policy isn’t reversed again.

P.Kamalanathan

MIC Education Bureau Chairman & Member of the Central Working Committee

Pongal and MOE

One of Malaysia’s greatest strengths and assets are her multi cultural population that bring together all forms celebrations that foster unity in our diversity.

This is a very unique feature of Malaysia that is envied all across the world.

However a recent circular by the education ministry did cause some uneasiness and definitely is not in the spirit Of Malaysian Unity.

The circular is designed to make the harvest festival of Pongal become a religious one and exempting our brothers and sisters of different faiths from taking part in the celebration.

Pongal is essentially a day of thanksgiving and gratitude to nature who allowed a bountiful harvest to come to fruition.

Across Tamil Nadu and its other neighbouring states this harvest festival is no different from the Keamatan festival in Sabah and Hari Gawai in Sarawak.

It’s a day farmers irrelevant of religion celebrate a bountiful harvest and thank Mother Nature for her fertile soil, adequate rain and healthy sunlight that were the foundation of a good harvest.

The farmers come together with family and friends and celebrate this day by offering guests and friends sweetened milk rice as a way of celebrating and spreading the cheer of a good harvest.

The festival has been celebrated with the spirit of unity and brotherhood for the last sixty years with many former Prime Ministers even taking part in the celebration.

Why this sudden aversion to it suddenly?

The silence of the Indian Ministers have done little to allay the fears and discontent the circular has raised and if not the Indians in the cabinet who else can the Malaysian Indians depend on to raise issues related to them?

With this in mind I visited the Ministry of Education and met Dr. Habibah Abd. Rahim the acting Directer General of the Ministry and her team to bring up the matter.

They were very cordial and professional in listening and noting our disappointment of the circular and have committed to look into the matter. I’m very hopeful that the Ministry pull back the circular and encourage everyone to embrace and understand the unique amalgamation of diversity in the nation.

Malaysians should always strive to better understand and embrace each other in order to foster a united and strong nation.

Celebrations like Pongal, Hari Gawai, Keamatan are just different ways of celebrating a bountiful harvest in the spirit of peace prosperity and unity and everybody should nurture such practises as a tool for unity and not use it to divide the people.

I hope the education ministry clarifies this and intimately recants the circular and allows all Malaysians to come together and celebrate a better future for all.

P. Kamalanathan

MIC Central Working Committee

Chairman, MIC Education Bureau.

Dr.Maszlee is the symptom not the cause.

The recent resignation of the Minister of Education Dr.Maszlee Malik is something that shocked the country being the first resignation of a PH minister in their 20 month government.

First and foremost I must congratulate Dr.Maszlee in making this very bold and brave decision on resigning.

It’s not easy to walk away from such a big and important position and takes a lion’s heart to accept one’s failure and do the right things.

I also sympathise with him in regard to the news focus which sometimes is more sensational and non academic than on tangible educational successes.

My years as a Deputy Education Minister was challenging, as an example the vast majority of 500 000 teachers are committed and responsible educators who strive to do their job well but the one bad apple makes news headlines while the majority sacrifices and successes are ignored.

Education is a very politically and practically very important part of our nation’s psyche.

In fact just a simple count of 5 million students in our primary and secondary schools mean 10 million parents are stakeholders and it’s difficult to get consensus among even 10 people sometimes , what more 10 million.

However the resignation of Dr.Maszlee though commendable isn’t enough.

Dr.Maszlee is the symptom not the cause. If performance was the criteria then many in the cabinet are in jeopardy. The PM himself gave them 50% during their one year anniversary, in 5 months would be 2 years but I doubt the performance will see any major improvement though some maybe worse.

The fact is the PH government is floundering because they have promised the world and now are unable to deliver. In almost all aspects of the nation from economic growth to racial relations things have become worse across the board since the new government was formed.

The people who voted for change stand disappointed and betrayed and yet the PH coalition is still mired in both internal party politics and national leadership tussles rather than focusing on the prime responsibility which is governing well for the people.

The sad truth is PH vehicle is on the way to a major breakdown and an overhaul might not be enough. Maszlee’s resignation is just a drop in the ocean of bad policies and decisions affecting the peace and prosperity of Malaysians.

The people wanted change but what they got for the last 18 months were just lies, more lies & excuses!

P.Kamalanathan
Central Working Committee Member of the Malaysian Indian Congress and
Chairman, Education Bureau MIC.