KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 – The Minister of Education, Fadhlina, has urged the public to remain objective regarding the new guidelines for the Dual Language Programme (DLP), which some critics argue is a recycling of the unsuccessful Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik Dalam Bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI). Despite the Ministry’s claims that DLP aims to improve students’ command of both English and Malay, education expert Prof Dato Ishak Haron has called the previous PPSMI a failure, citing research that shows English-medium instruction hindered students’ comprehension and interest in mathematics and science.
Originally introduced in 2003, the PPSMI was discontinued and later rebranded as DLP. The current iteration involves teaching science and mathematics in Malay in Chinese schools, where Bahasa Malaysia classes are already compulsory. Critics argue that improving language teaching in the early years of schooling would be more effective. Ravinder Singh, a commentator on education policy, suggests that focusing on competent language instruction in the first three years of school is crucial for laying a strong foundation, rather than reviving a failed program.
