PPSMI and The Big Debate

Man, if I could write a letter to the current Prime Minister about this issue and be sure that he himself gets to read it, I would. Because this issue, where adults say yes, and clearly, children say no. At least, children in my school.

Malaysia's official language is Bahasa Melayu. Yeah, I get that. PPSMI is (Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris) basically Science and Maths in English. And, the reason for the abolishment, is when an ex-director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (a body that majors in Bahasa Melayu) says that Malaysians are now falling short of their own national language. He goes up saying, everyone should be proud of their national language. And so, after several debates, PPSMI is going to be abolished. It is going to be abolished in the year of 2012. Well, of course, when they debated, they never even considered taking in an opinion of a student who would be going through this, a pupil that will have to suddenly throw away all Science terms and change it into Bahasa Melayu. Well, HELLO THERE GOVERNMENT, I will be facing this quite soon.

No, this debate is no longer about proficiency of English. I read a letter from an adult, who had no idea how painful it is to go through this, and he stated out, "There is no proof that it (PPSMI) increases proficiency in English". And, well, I am offended. The term condensation, is commonly used in Science, and is commonly used in essays and conversations. The question for that person is, "How can you prove that it doesn't help?". Honestly, you read a Science textbook, and you learn new words, how does that not help you expand your vocabulary? (a.k.a increasing English proficiency). That clearly has to be answered.

Other than that, the issue being brought up, national language. We have to love national language. We have to uphold our mother-tongue language. Right? Government, just because I learn two subjects (lower form) and four subjects (upper form) in English, doesn't mean I don't love my mother-tongue. All in all, no matter what, the subjects being taught in Bahasa Melayu still overrule the subjects taught in English. The majority is still in Bahasa Melayu. So, what will that effect ? Honestly, think about it. The majority (BM, History, Agama) is still being taught and learnt in Bahasa Melayu.

Also, the students in rural areas. The government pities those students in rural areas, who are not fluent in English. OHMYGOD, what bullshit is this ? Dearly beloved government, rural students have to freaking deal with it. By abolishing PPSMI, you are doing nothing but bringing them down. If you already know, that they are bad in English, you in fact want them to be WORSE in English ? Government, I am now questioning your love for the citizens. Let me give you an analogy, "I suck in English. I am good in Bahasa Melayu. And, my mom says, 'It's okay, Leave English. Go do your Bahasa Melayu!'" Okay, so, just because I am good in Bahasa Melayu, you want me to not learn English? Is that what you're trying to say ? Because, by abolishing PPSMI, you are furthermore taking away the chances for these rural students, to learn English. If you say we are neglecting Bahasa Melayu, oh wait, NEWSFLASH, we're still learning majority of the subjects in Bahasa Melayu. And you know what, this is plain discrimination. Taking away the rights for the rural students, to improve their English, what is wrong with the government ?

Writing this, as a student who in 2012, will have to go through this painful process, is begging for this abolishment to somehow be cancelled. If you are thinking of the rural students, what about the urban ones ? A good government, is somehow supposed to be fair and just towards all. And, by doing this, god, you are being UNfair. It hurts to think that the government would actually put us through all this. I feel like I am some kind of experiment to be toyed around with.

An example of the pain we have to go through; changes of terms. From 'add' to tambah'. From 'minus' to 'tolak'. From boiling to 'mendidih'. From freezing to 'membeku'. What ?! God, do you know how long it has taken to memorize all those Mathematics and Science terms ? And suddenly, to be reverted to Bahasa Melayu ? Well, sir, some of us have been going through 9 years of learning it in English, why suddenly change ? The sudden change can somehow cause some students to go through "culture shock", or in this case, "language shock". Somehow the Chinese have also proven, that Maths in English is better as it provides faster pronunciation. "Add" and "Tambah", which is faster and easier to pronounce ? English, of course ! When, it is easier to pronounce words, thus, makes it easier to create formulas and memorize.

Look, I am not fully opposing this, but, I am most certainly not agreeing to it. I understand the government's insecurities about Bahasa Melayu being extinct soon. But, if you want to abolish PPSMI, and start teaching it in kindergartens. Or in primary, if needed. Don't let us, who have successfully mastered Science and Maths in English to suddenly revert to Bahasa Melayu the next year. It is not what we want. And, if you want a drop to undergo in the examination results, then please, go ahead. If you want Malaysia, to go through "the dark years", then, execute.

All I'm asking for is some fairness and just for us students who will have to face the wrath of the abolishment of PPSMI. Us, who have learnt Science and Maths in English for 3 years and more, to suddenly change to Bahasa Melayu. Honestly, I understand your insecurities, and I understand, I do. But, please, think of us. Think of your rakyat. Your students who will be future leaders.

I know the importance of the national language, and, I implement Bahasa Melayu every where I go. If you want an example, take me, I am an English Debater, who has done successfully for both Science and Maths in English and managed to score highest in Bahasa Melayu. I'm not the cream of the crop. So, if I can manage, why can't others ?

With that, I thank you.

Written by, Putri Nur Aida Sofiea Binti Ritakamal, on the 26th of November 2010.