Stand firm against 6-2-3-2 formula.

MCA President Ong Ka Ting had on Saturday briefed 600 MCA leaders nationwide on the proposed 6-2-3-2 formula which is to be implemented on Standard 4 to Standard 6 of SJKCs next year.

(6-2-3-2 formula proposes 6 periods for Mathematics in Mandarin, 2 periods for the subject in English, 3 periods for Science in Mandarin and 2 periods for the subject in English)

While it is reported that the newly introduced 6-2-3-2 formula is widely accepted by “leaders of the Chinese Associations” and MCA leaders from different level, one should not forget that the formula is another political solution which has totally denied the legitimate demands of Dong Jiao Zong and and wills of other mother tongue educationists.

Previously, there were 7 periods for Mathematics and 5 periods for Science in Mandarin from Standard 4 to 6 in SJKCs. With this new formula, the number will be reduced to 6 and 3 respectively, which should not be misinterpreted as if it will not affect the development of mother tongue education in this country.

Policymakers should return to the basic question of the reasons to implement the policy three years ago when such policy is actually a unilateral decision of ex-Premier, Tun Dr Mahathir?

If there is any basis for the current government to continue implementing such policy? Can the government prove that the previous method (teaching Science and Mathematics in mother tongue) has severely affected our school children’s performance on the subjects?

If the government fails to prove so, should the government withdraw the implementation of the policy and switch back to teaching mathematics and science in mother tongue?

The principal concern is about why English, which is not the first language of many of our school children, should be used to teach Mathematics and Science whereas mother tongue has always been proven as the best language to teach the subjects in primary level.

Mother tongue educationists from various lingual-backgrounds must stand firm against 6-2-3-2 formula as the it is not only a political arrangement to protect the interests of a few political elites in the country, but it will also jeopardize the quality of primary education in Malaysia, further eroding the global competitiveness of Malaysia.

Lau Weng San
26th December 2005.