NGOs laud compulsory pass in English

The plan to make a compulsory pass in English at Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level has received good support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs). However they are mindful that this move must not be a burden, especially to the rural students and that improvement in the English education system should be made a prior to implementing it. This is to ensure all the students in the country get the benefit of a better proficiency and understanding of the language. National Union of Teaching Profession Secretary-general Datuk Loke Yim Pheng said the plan should not be implemented now because many students are not ready in view of the current English education system. "We are not against this plan, we support the plan with all our heart, but we cannot immediately do it now. We need to have more qualified English teachers and we must at least give the student a duration of time to prepare themselves," she said. Loke said proficiency in English will open doors to the students to have better understanding in other important subjects such as science, mathematics and information technology. Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said in order to implement the plan, Malaysia needed an education system that evolved in order for the country to be ready for the compulsory pass ruling. Sunshine Cottage Welfare Society Chairman Maria Benedicta George said the English education system in the country should take some pointers from the old days when the people, especially in the rural areas, learn English from the British. "It doesn't mean that we have to replicate them because we have our own background and identity, what we need to take from the British is how they taught us English in those days and bring it back again for the students in this generation. "But changes especially in the education system cannot change overnight and we need to give appropriate time, but when the time comes (to implement the plan) we cannot hesitate and do it as soon as possible," she said. Maria leads several welfare projects with her NGO including English language teaching for the less fortunate. Parent Action Group For Education Chairman Datin Nor Azimah Abdul Rahim said now was the right time to implement the plan, with the government having spent millions of ringgit for rural students, who would have a bright future because English is a global language. "They (rural students) need to communicate and have self-esteem to speak English, they do not need online learning kit because the government is really working hard to help these kids by bringing in native speakers and so many other programmes," she said. Nor Azimah is confident that the students who are really determine and well disciplined would succeed in mastering English and be proud of themselves for taking this as one of their life challenges. – Bernama, October 25, 2015.]]>