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From Brunei With Love
Posted by admin on July 18 2009 00:00:00

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Good English still target: Najib (Borneo Bulletin Weekend Online)

PUTRAJAYA (NST) - The national objective of enhancing the mastery of English among Malaysians remains unchanged and will "forever remain the same", Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday. "Only this time, the methods vary," the prime minister said, adding that the government's policy on English remained untouched.

He said English would continue to be given prominence for the future of the country and people, adding that the use of Bahasa Malaysia in teaching Science and Mathematics did not mean that English was unimportant.

"We still uphold the same objectives as we realise how important it is to have a good command of the (English) language," he told newsmen after chairing the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation meeting at the Prime Minister's Department yesterday.

Najib said the government could reinforce the process of teaching and learning English by extending learning hours of the language, having better and more experienced teachers and enhancing existing infrastructure and facilities such as language laboratories.

Given time, Najib said, the decision would enable the government to require a pass in English in order to obtain the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia certificate. "Like what (Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister) Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin) has said, we might make (a pass in) English compulsory at the SPM level.

"All this will augment our commitment and sensitivity to the importance of having a good command of English so that we can compete in this era of globalisation," said Najib, who is also the finance minister.

Najib said English Literature would also be introduced as "this is better than teaching and learning the two subjects (Science and Mathematics) in English". He stressed that the goal was ultimately to enhance proficiency and mastery of English, something essential for the country and Malaysians in a globalised world.

On calls by the Parents Action Group for Education (Page) for schools to be given the option to teach the two subjects in English or Bahasa Malaysia, Najib said the suggestion would be referred to the Education Ministry. "Let them assess if it is viable for consideration," he said.