KOTA KINABALU: English should remain the medium of instruction in the teaching of Science and Mathematics (PPSMI) for Science stream students, while Bahasa Malaysia can be used for the teaching of Science and Mathematics for Arts students.
Josephine Lim, who has 20 years of teaching experience to her credit, said many Arts students have difficulty comprehending the English language.
“Even if the medium of instruction is English, teachers still have to deliver the subjects in Bahasa Malaysia (to Arts class students) for them to understand.
“But we find no problem teaching Science and Additional Mathematics to pure Science stream students in English,” she said.
Moreover, she pointed out that Science students were most likely to further their studies in a Science-related field.
“Let’s face the fact. Medicine and Pharmacy are all going to be taught in English.
“And they have to continue with Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or A-Levels in English as well,” she pointed out.
In addition, the people who insisted on using English in the teaching Science and Mathematics should also insist on textbooks in English, she said.
“Otherwise, it will be a big dilemma for the teachers.
“The reason being, when teachers teach in English, students study the textbooks in Bahasa Malaysia. Can you imagine the confusion it can cause on the students and the problems that can arise?” Lim lamented.
She further said some university lecturers were teaching Science courses in Bahasa Malaysia, basing on feedback received from first year undergraduates.