Dr Annuar (second left) presents a certificate to a pupil from SK Abang Ali, as (from left) Mahmud, Sharkawi and Hamdi look on.
SIBU: It is vital for parents to give their full support to the implementation of the teaching of Science and Mathematics subjects in English for Primary 1 pupils in Sarawak, beginning next year.
In this regard, Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapa’ee says the move would ensure that school-children in the rural areas would be on par with their urban counterparts.
“I wish to clarify to parents here that there is no need to be unduly worried or concerned if they have children entering Primary 1 next year, where Science and Mathematics will be taught in English.
“The teaching of Science and Mathematics in English will not cause our children to be left behind (in academic performance). We are teaching these subjects in English because we know all the knowledge of Science is in English.
“Information and knowledge that the pupils need to acquire or source, is in English. Therefore, if they are not well-versed in these two subjects, they will not be able to cope with the advancement in technology,” he spoke at the ‘Third Convocation of Primary Schools in Nangka Constituency’ at Sibu Civic Centre yesterday.
In this regard Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, added: “We call upon parents to give full support and cooperation to this state government’s initiative to ensure that the rural children would not be left behind their urban counterparts, as well as to narrow the gap between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera school-children.
“If we don’t introduce this programme to rural school-children, it would be the main causative factor for the widening gap. In other words, we’re preparing the rural school-children to be on par with those in urban areas by providing a level-playing field.”
Adding on, Dr Annuar said the Sarawak government would be using its own fund to implement the teaching of these two subjects at primary schools across the state.
“We will train 2,835 teachers and officers through the Teachers Education Institutes (IPGs), involving 212 lecturers for this purpose. The estimated costs including those for training, preparation of teaching modules, printing of textbooks and workbooks, teaching materials/aid, as well as the training of trainers, could reach RM11 million.”
Touching on initiatives related to education for his Nangka constituency, Dr Annuar said many free tuition centres had been set at longhouses and schools. On changing all desks and chairs in schools in his constituency, he said this would be done in stages.
Meanwhile, Nangka Education Committee secretary Mahmud Ahad said five ‘Knowledge Corners’ for Primary 6’s Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) had been established this year, in addition to the setting up of 24 free tuition centres in Nangka area.
At the event yesterday, 712 Primary 6 pupils from 10 schools received their school-completion certificates.
From the total, 134 pupils are from SK Batu 10, 111 from SK Abang Ali, 98 from SK Kampung Bahagia Jaya and another 98 from SK Ulu Sungai Merah, 83 from SK Agama Sibu, 74 from SK Bandaran Sibu No 3, 51 from SK St Mary, 50 from SK Batu 15, 12 from SK Nanga Bon, and one from SK Pendidikan Khas Sibu.
There were also 10 recipients of the ‘Pupil Icon Awards’, given to honour outstanding pupils from schools across the Nangka constituency. SK Abang Ali headmaster Hamdi Nadji and Sibu District Education Offcier representative Sharkawi Hamdan were also present.