Malaysia - Parents push for option via cyberspace

PETALING JAYA - Parents and students have taken to cyberspace in their quest to push the Government to make the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) an option.

Some have even posted their appeal on Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Facebook page, urging him to allow students the option to choose PPSMI.

A Facebook user, who agreed that Bahasa Malaysia should be upheld and strengthened, said students needed the option to study and learn the two subjects in English.

"If they prefer BM (Bahasa Malaysia) then go for it. But do not deny those who would like to learn it in English; the option should be made available," he said.

Many have also pledged to be in Putrajaya today to support the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) when its members deliver a memorandum to Najib on the matter. PAGE has also started a "Yes to PPSMI option" on its website.

Netizen Krismalaysia tweeted that parents must be allowed to fight for their right, while "Concerned Parent" said "Yes, let us try yet again!"

As at 8.30pm yesterday, 94,000 members had "Liked" the "1M Malaysians Say YES to PPSMI as an OPTION" Facebook page.

There is also a move to hit one millions "Likes" for the page.

A frustrated student said he did not understand why PPSMI was not an option considering that English was spoken internationally and at the workplace.

LiliGan said: "I just asked my kids & her classmates which they prefer. Well all their friends told me including mine English of course!!!"

The PPSMI Msia group wrote that it understood the need to promote the national language, but not to the extent of excluding the choice of medium of instruction.

"We would like to see fair play and an equal chance for all," it said.

Florence A.Samy | The Star/Asia News Network

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