Language switch debate continues…
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Malaysian schools on 8 Aug 2009.
PTA barred from school to discuss language switch
A Malaysiakini report said the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of SMK Seri Hartamas’ plan for an EGM to discuss the English language reversal policy was almost scuttled on Saturday 8 August when it was barred from using the school compound. Apparently, the Ministry of Education through the school ruled the meeting null and void, forcing fuming parents to gather at the school gate instead. (L: Malaysiakini photo)
“Though unable to hold the meeting, the parents were however able to witness one agenda of the intended EGM, which was to count ballots slips from parents stating whether they wanted the teaching of science and mathematics to continue in that school.
Of the 553 ballots counted, an overwhelming 97 percent were in favour. A total of 1,310 ballot slips were issued to students to hand over to their parents.”
BFM 89.9 SPECIAL PODCAST FEATURE
Meanwhile, if you missed BFM 89.9′s special feature on the language switch, you can catch the podcast here. Part 1 features opinions from Karen Lam, Wordcomm, Adzahar Ibrahim Head of HR at Digi and DM from the Daily Muscle blog.
The other interview features Rita Sim, Executive Director of Sin Chew and Hanif Merican Director of Sri Kuala Lumpur.
In Part 2, She-Fah Szetu speaks to two Malaysian authors, Chuah Guat Eng and Rehman Rashid about their relationship with the English language within the context of so-called nation building and national identity.
Chuah Guat Eng and Rehman Rashid on what it means to be a “Malaysian”
Part 3 features Tengku Zafrul, Group Director of Kenanga, Mark Disney COO of LCCI, Helen Ang from Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI Malaysia) and Datin Noor Azmiah from Parents Action Group for Education (PAGE)
Tengku Zafrul, Group Director of Kenanga, Mark Disney COO of LCCI, Helen Ang from the Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI Malaysia) and Datin Noor Azmiah from Parents Action Group speak in this segment.
In Part 4, the final installment of the series, She-Fah Szetu speaks to author and columnist Kam Raslan and Fahmi Fadzil from Bright Lights at Midnight.
On the last segment, you can hear opinions of author and columnist Kam Raslan and Fahmi Fadzil from Bright Lights at Midnight on the relevance of Malay.
[Please note that the mp3 file may take a while to appear in your folder if you choose to download the file]
One Comment so far...
DAVID BC TAN Says:
12 August 2009 at 1:52 am.
Latest: It seems Education Director-General Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom expressed “regret over the inconveniences faced by SMK Sri Hartamas Parent-Teacher Association at its extraordinary general meeting at the school on Saturday.” http://snurl.com/po1wl
And DPM Muhyiddin says students who began studying Mathematics and Science in English could continue to do so until they finished their secondary school education.
http://snurl.com/po20u
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