SEREMBAN: A total of 296 schools across the country have implemented the Dual Language Programme using English for Science and Mathematics since last January and will continue to do so, says the director-general of education Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof.
He said the programme was implemented at national primary and secondary schools which satisfied four main conditions.
The schools must have adequate resources such as reference material, and infrastructure; and the school heads and teachers must agree, as well as be capable and willing to implement the programme.
The written consent of parents and guardians of pupils was also required, and schools must have obtained higher than the National Average Grade in Bahasa Melayu in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations.
Of the 296 participating schools, 122 were primary schools, and 70 per cent of them urban schools, he added.
The programme was implemented for Year One and Year Four in primary schools, and Form One pupils in secondary schools.
“Since the programme was implemented, the response I received from teachers was to get continuous support from us on how they can get the desired pedagogy, especially in English Language. We have set up an online English Language Teaching Centre to help teachers,” he told a media conference about the DLP here on Saturday.
Khair said the department had received about 30 applications from Tamil schools to carry out the programme, but approval could not be given as the schools did meet all of the four conditions.
“We will continue this programme with the second wave next year. However, it will not be mandatory, but subject to the application from schools,” he added.
Under the Dual Language Programme, STEM subjects – Science, Mathematics and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – are fully taught in English.
–BERNAMA