Macky Joseph
SIBU: Sarawak Teachers’ Union applauds the Sarawak government for the bold step it takes in pioneering the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English in primary schools.
It, however, hoped that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research and Sarawak Education Department would draw up a comprehensive plan to ensure the success of the programme, its president Macky Joseph said.
“The plan should include the training of teachers for the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, continuous training programmes for teachers teaching the subjects, sufficient text books and other reference materials, and other facilities in schools,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He was commenting on Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik’s statement that Sarawak would soon be the first state in Malaysia to teach Mathematics and Science in English in primary schools using specially-trained local teachers.
Maszlee said this came about after the Sarawak government agreed that the language would be used to teach the two subjects, like what Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir had suggested.
The minister added that the teachers involved would be Sarawakians who would be trained in institutions and universities in the state.
Macky said: “This is a positive move in line with the vision of our Prime Minister Tun Mahathir to further strengthen the use of English in teaching Mathematics and Science.
“It is good to introduce such a move and then equip the system with the necessary facilities to ensure success.”
STU also acknowledged the joint effort of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, and the Education Department to train more than 400 teachers in Sarawak for this purpose this year.