PETALING JAYA: The Penang State Education Department will hold an engagement session with all relevant parties to address concerns raised by parent-teacher associations (PTAs) on the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in several Penang schools, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (pic).

She said the implementation of the DLP is based on the guidelines outlined in “Specialised Circular No. 5 Year 2024: Guidelines for the Implementation of the DLP” dated March 19.

“The Education Ministry has noted media reports regarding the protest against the implementation of the DLP in several schools in Penang.

“Schools implementing the DLP must ensure that opportunities are also provided to students who apply to study Science and Mathematics in the national language or their mother tongue,” she said in a media statement yesterday.

Fadhlina added that schools must ensure that at least one class in each Year or Form conducts the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics using the national language or mother tongue as the medium of instruction, starting from Year One and Form One for the new academic session beginning from the year 2024/2025.

“The DLP is under the MBMMBI (Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the English Language) policy that provides schools with the option of using English in the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics.

“It aims to help students improve their English proficiency by providing more exposure through the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics at school.”

On Wednesday, 11 Chinese secondary schools in Penang said they could not comply with the latest directive that at least one class be set up for Science and Mathematics to be taught in Bahasa Malaysia (BM) as a DLP prerequisite as none of the pupils or parents wanted it.

Among the worries raised by parents was that forcing it on their children would affect their academic performance.

In NIBONG TEBAL, unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said he had spoken to Fadhlina on the matter and was informed that her ministry will meet with the 11 Chinese secondary school boards and PTAs to find a solution to the issue.

The Communications Minister said he also had instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to monitor social media for any racially charged comments on the issue.

“We do not want any parties politicising what is actually a conveyed opinion,” he said after launching the Sembang Santai Programme with Komuniti Madani chiefs here yesterday.

In GEORGE TOWN, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the state is awaiting a full report from the state Education Department on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in BM in the 11 Chinese secondary schools.

The state government, he added, has taken into account concerns raised by the school boards.

“We acknowledge the importance of a suitable language in learning and are working closely with the department to ensure the issue is resolved effectively.”

He said that in Penang, 50 secondary and 35 primary schools are involved in the DLP.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/07/penang-to-meet-schools-over-dlp