Posts Tagged ‘Tamil school’

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Should Science and Maths be taught in Tamil or English?

December 22nd, 2008
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This poll is specifically for parents and parents-to-be, with intention of sending their children to Tamil schools or who children are in Tamil school. Others need not reply.

Should Science and Maths be taught in Tamil or English?

A. Tamil
B. English.

Some additional info::

1. The time allocated for Science and Maths is about 90 minutes per week, according to a concerned parent. Thus teaching these subjects in English does not in any way harm the teaching of Tamil. The results of Tamil UPSR exam has not been adversely affected.

2. Chinese schools have a education pathway all the way to degree (Hong Kong, Taiwan, China), thus they can afford to study in Chinese. Whereas for Indians, we only have tamil education up to primary level.

3. A teacher who marks exam paper says that for Maths, most of the answers are involving numbers. Answering Maths paper with one or two English words means the students is deemed to have “Answered in English”. So, he says the statistics shown on UPSR results does not necessarily reflect the actual situation.

4. There are worries by some quarters that by relinquishing Science and Maths in Tamil, more non-Tamil teachers will be drafted into Tamil schools, and slowly the schools will be “converted”. Thus, its better to use Tamil instead of English.

5. More educational materials are available in English, so it will be helpful for teachers, parents, and students if English is used.

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Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

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MIC says HMs and parents support Science and Maths in Tamil

December 19th, 2008
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Earlier, MIC did not clarify on its stand over the medium to be used for teaching of Science and Maths. After the final roundtable discussion, MIC representative said that they were still compiling feedback from the schools. Thursday evening, MIC issued statement that it will recommend to the cabinet that the subjects to be taught in Tamil, in line with the wishes and aspirations of Tamil school headmasters and parents. Samy Vellu announced this after the MIC CWC meeting.

So, that means MIC is supporting proposal number 3 from the seven proposals.

Samy Vellu said although he believed that it was good for the students, especially in Tamil schools to master the English language, “but I have to listen and heed the views and wishes of the Tamil school headmasters and parents”.

“They have a right to make their own decision. We can’t impose on them our views. It is a matter that concerns their children and students. As such, we will abide to their request.” he said.

He said the headmasters unanimously endorsed the teaching of Mathematics and Science in Tamil at a discussion organized by the MIC recently.

Samy Vellu said Tamil school students could pick up English when they enter secondary schools.

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Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

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The Seven Proposals

December 17th, 2008
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After the final round table discussion on medium of instruction for Science and Maths today, we hear the Deputy Minister saying that seven proposals were put forward after the fourth round table, while stressing that nothing is finalised:

1. Stick to Mathematics and Science in English

– this is an acceptable solution, which I prefer.

2. revert to Bahasa Malaysia.

– this will be the alternative, but something that may not benefit in the long run.

3. let the primary schools teach in mother tongue and secondary in English.

– this is not an good idea as students and teachers will be burdened with unnecessary translation work.

4. let the primary schools decide for themselves

– this is a potential disaster in waiting. There will be logistics nightmare, and possible change of heart by the schools on their whims and fancies.

5. Mathematics and Science be taught in Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue for Years One to Three and in English from Year Four onwards.

– another no-no. Better just stick to one language, not mix and create rojak culture.

6. a combination of mother tongue in the first three years and a choice of that (mother tongue) and English from Standard Four to Six and full use of English at the secondary level

– somehow acceptable, but still something that burdens students and teachers, and hard to monitor. This seems to be a proposal that is set to appease all stakeholders.

7. the two subjects would not be taught in the Years One to Three and instead be integrated into other subjects.

– A solution that aims to push the problem under the carpet in the expense of the students. So, what will happen to the students when the enter Year Four? What language would they use?

The analysis of UPSR results for the group that studied the subjects in English for six years showed that:

Overall, the trend has been positive. Pupils have actually done marginally better in many instances. More pupils in both urban and rural schools scored A, B and Cs in the two subjects.

Even their performance in the English language has shown a rather big improvement of 4.4% while the performance in Bahasa remained stable, said director-general of education Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom who presented the analysis.

Another encouraging sign was that the number of pupils opting to answer the two subjects in English had increased significantly, reflecting greater confidence in using the language.

In Tamil vernacular schools (SJKT), 62.76% of pupils answered in English for Science and 89.11% for Science.

The scenario was completely different in Chinese national-type schools (SJKC) though. Only 2.86% answered in English for Science and 1.29% for Maths.

Looks like the Tamil schools can easily adapt, but the Chinese school students are not so.

Personally, I believe its good to teach the subjects in English to maintain continuity in higher levels. The students still learn about language and culture in their vernacular environment. So, its not much of a threat. However, it will be an icing on the cake if a subject like “Tamil/Chinese/Malay in Science and Maths” is introduced as a chapter (or few chapters) in language class so that students are exposed to the terms in their mother tongue.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia

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HINDRAF welcomes funds for Tamil Schools

December 3rd, 2008
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Extracts from Malaysiakini:

Funds set aside for Tamil schools by the Penang and Selangor governments have convinced the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) that the strong support it lent to Pakatan Rakyat during the last general election was not in vain.

MCPX

“It proves that Hindraf’s campaign urging people to vote for a change was a correct decision. At least Pakatan governments have demonstrated that they care for Tamil schools, unlike the previous state Barisan Nasional administrations,” Hindraf national co-ordinator RS Thanenthiran told Malaysiakini yesterday.

“Pakatan has fulfilled its electoral pledge to provide financial assistance, irrespective of race and religion.”

The movement’s vociferous campaign for change was the main reason Indian voters who were pro-BN had switched en bloc to the Pakatan coalition in the March general election.

Under its 2009 budget, Penang’s Pakatan government set aside RM1.5 million as development funds to be disbursed to 28 Tamil schools in the state.

In the budget tabled at the state legislative assembly earlier this month by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the state government also set aside RM4.5 million for 124 Chinese and missionary schools, RM1.5 million for 15 religious schools, and RM1 million for five private secondary schools.

The Selangor government, headed by Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, alocated RM4 million for Tamil schools in the state, besides setting aside RM6 million for Chinese schools.

“Our campaign to switch Indian support from BN to Pakatan was not a waste after all,” said Thanenthiran, adding that the previous administrations had neglected Tamil schools in both states to the extent that they were left to “rot and meet a natural demise.”

“It’s another example of the Umno-led government’s marginalisation of Indians,” he said, referring to Hindraf’s 18-point memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year.

The memorandum included a demand to the government to set aside yearly development funds for Tamil schools.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ramasamy said the state allocation was being dispersed accordingly by a state-level Tamil school co-ordination committee overseen by him.

Previously, the state government had difficulties communicating with the Tamil schools due to federal political intervention, but Ramasamy said the relationship had vastly improved since the committee was formed.

“The committee would disburse the funds fairly and priority would be given to needy schools,” he said, adding that land has also been earmarked for the construction of new buildings for Tamil schools, SRJK Azad, SRJK Batu Kawan and SJK Ladang Valdor.

We have to see if this will a continuous support or a one-off funding. we have to look at land availability, building construction, infrastructure etc. as well.

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Vernacular schools only?

December 2nd, 2008
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I find that Mukhriz’s statement on abolishing vernacular schools and establishing a single stream is more of a tit-for-tat move, rather than genuine concern for national unity. He threatens those who are speaking of equal rights or anti-supremacy. He should know that vernacular schools are provided for in constitution, but as Koh Tsu Koon says, “Ketuanan Melayu” is not contained in the constitution.

And I wonder if establishing single stream includes abolishing Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR), includes equal opportunity education up to university level (UITM and MARA colleges included), and providing scholarships based on merit. And how about private schools which a create a bigger division between the rich/affordable and the poor?

He says 99% of the countries in the world uses single stream education, but how many of those have a diverse racial population as in our country? The biggest majority race (malay) is not more than 60% (closer to 50% only actually) – there’s a strong minority in the Chinese, the East Malaysians, and to a lesser extent, the Indians. Now, which other country is similar to our makeup?

I feel that beside contravening the Sedition Act, Muhkriz is also playing to the gallery.

If he is really concerned, initiate an in-depth study – analyse if the vernacular schools (including sekolah agama and private schools) are contribution to disunity, or they are actually not a contributing factor at all. I believe the disunity is sown in the national schools, in public universities, in media, and by the politicians.

I still believe that his proposal does have its merits, but not in the tone he proposed. If a single stream that is:

– not islamized

– not biased towards one race

– have a better racial balance in the teaching staff

– provides for learning of mother tongue with competent teachers regardless number of students attending

– not discriminative in university intake and scholarship offers

– has single examination stream in STPM (no more matriculation/UEC)

– allows each race to celebrate its festivals and cultures (with financial support) without hindrance

– consider sensitivities in terms of food, clothing, etc of students

– provide religious and/or cultural classes to the respective students

then we can consider having such a stream.

I quote from Charles Santiago:

Let us look at the federal allocation for schools – the government disbursed RM1.48 million to 248 Chinese primary schools while it dished out RM709 million to build 15 new Mara Junior Science Colleges.

The number of Tamil primary schools dipped from 526 in 2001 to 523 in 2006 despite a 12.7% increase in enrolment. The new intake in 2001 numbered 88,810 students and rose to 100,142 students in 2006.

At present there are about 50,000 Malay students enrolled in vernacular schools.

Interesting figures.

I think the intake for vernacular schools are increasing due to the performance of the schools, the awareness of importance of mother tongue, and the discrimination faced in national schools. Even in Tamil schools, much improvement have been made, despite the major handicap faced by them. More 7A students, more aware parents, more NGOs helping out.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Tamil-Schools

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