NIBONG TEBAL: The Education Ministry will meet with the boards and parent-teacher associations (PTA) of 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools to find an amicable solution to the implementation of a ruling that at least one science and mathematics class be taught in Bahasa Melayu.
Unity government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said he had spoken to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek about the matter and was informed that either she or her deputy, Wong Kah Woh, would look into the matter.
"They will meet with the boards and PTAs of the 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools and find the best solution to the issue.
"As such, we don't want any quarters to take advantage of the issue and try to politicise what is really being said.
"Some may be drawing perception which is against what is actually being said," he told newsmen here today.
Fahmi said the issue was only on the objection on the implementation of a ruling that at least one science and mathematics class be taught in Bahasa Melayu and not anything else.
"The boards and PTAs of the 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools want the science and mathematics class be taught in English.
"That is all they meant," he added.
Elaborating, Fahmi said there were several quarters who attempted to touch on the 3R (race, religion, royalty) issue after the issue was raised.
He said they were several quarters who issued racist statements and took advantage in making accusations, which is bad and not harmonious for a country of diverse races like Malaysia.
"I have instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to look into such comments and take the appropriate actions, especially those touching on 3R," he said.
The New Straits Times yesterday reported that the state government had vowed to work closely with the Education Ministry to find an amicable solution to issues raised by the boards and PTAs of the 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who oversees the education portfolio, said the state government was aware of the issues raised.
He said the state government recognised the importance of using the appropriate language in the learning process.
"Therefore, the state government will work closely with the Education Ministry to ensure that this issue is given attention for implementation in the most effective way by taking into account the needs of all schools," he was quoted as saying.
This came after the boards and PTAs of the 11 Chinese-medium secondary schools in Penang said they strongly opposed to the forceful implementation of at least one class using Bahasa Melayu as a medium of instruction.
They claimed almost all parents in their schools were against the policy and reluctant to have their children in the class.
They urged the Education Ministry to listen to them, respect the will of the parents and return to the original intention of the DLP in science and mathematics.
At present, science and mathematics are taught in English in these schools.