The Education Ministry of Malaysia has finally decided to test teachers who are teaching Science and Mathematics in English for their proficiency level in the English language. The teaching of these two subjects using the English language was introduced in the year 2003. It took them 4 years to realize that a large number of teachers who were supposed to use the English language to teach, were themselves not proficient enough to carry on a conversation much less teach Maths and Science in that language.
I think the root cause of having so many teachers who were not proficient in English but yet assigned to teach subjects in English was because of the monetary rewards offered by the Ministry to teachers who are involved in this program. Anytime there is news of money, there will be the 'boneheads' who will pull cables to get into such programs as long as they can get extra cash. This is very likely what has happened but no one will admit it officially.
What does this tell us? Poor management. The government has many good policies and they still keep churning them out. The Prime Minister's publicity manager is doing an excellent job to make him look good locally and abroad. They came up with a blueprint on Education as if there was none before. Introduced a new term - 'Cluster schools'. Before that the Ethnic Realtions subject was introduced in the Universities to improve intergration among the various races, starting with the students. Good policy but somebody forgot to tell the reason for this policy to the Minister of Higher Education. The book that was introduced to one of the University, blamed a particular race for incidences that happened. The book was withdrawn after much protest from various groups. The implementation of the policies have much to be desired.
It seems the Prime Minister doesn't have a task force to see if his policies are being carried out as planned or he is not bothered. The announcement of billions of ringgit for the 9th Malaysia Plan sounds very good for the economy. But is it really planned to help all Malaysians. Everytime one reads the papers, the politicians talk of projects to help a particular race. This is the problem in this country. It is becoming very racial and I think somebody is planning to keep it that way just to be in power. It is so difficult to find mature, open-minded and non-racial politicians in this country. We have people who talk of bloodshed and like to play with their kriss though. What a bummer.
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Because of the lackadaisical attitude and poor management of the Education system in this country, tuition classes for English have bloomed all over the country allowing a lot of people to make money.
I believe this is sort of a compensating factor for those who have been side-lined at their work place. It should not be so but due to the situation, this is what is actually happening right now. If I had been a teacher I would be making money also. Then I won't be worrying about how many golf balls I hit into the ponds. heh heh.
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