SHAH ALAM, SEPT 7: The Umno-BN Government has been urged to improve infrastructure for the learning of the English language by year 2016 before implementing the policy to make it compulsory for students to pass the subject in the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia).
Parti Keadilan Rakyat De Facto Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the absence of adequate learning facilities, especially in rural areas, only adds burden to students and teachers.
“Making it a compulsory to pass in inadequate conditions, including the quality of teachers, learning facilities and library facilities in rural schools, as well as Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools. The policy should be reviewed first,” said Anwar.
Prior to this, the Minister of Education, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that it would be compulsory to pass the English language subject in the SPM by year 2016 in conjunction with the launch of the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025.
“This is the problem of Ministers and political leaders who do not have continuity with the realities happening at the bottom,” stressed Anwar.
He said this during a press conference after delivering his keynote address at the World Islamic Revival Seminar at the Silver Jubilee Hall at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building.
Also with Anwar was the Chief Minister of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Anwar also reiterated calls from many groups who want the Federal Government to raise and preserve the Malay language by ensuring that all students master the official language well.
“Mastering the Malay language should continue to be improved in terms of quality. This should be clear in policies and it is a master plan which should be done,” he stressed.