English in Malaysia

For more than two years there has been intense debate within Malaysia about the place of English within the education system. Up until very recently it was government policy that the subjects of science and maths be taught in English; this policy was put into place because of concerns that English language skills were largely deficient and this was for some part holding the development of the country back.

However, many Malaysians complained that all that was happening was that standards in maths and science were now falling. Most of these complaints were from the majority Malay population rather than from those of Chinese and Indian descent whose superior English skills ensured that they also did well in science and maths. And the reason for this superiority; who knows? But being that we all share the same potential for learning it would be a good bet that the Chinese and Indians have a higher regard for education and simply work harder. That this is so is borne out by the fact that most of the top students at high school and university come from the minority populations of the Chinese and to a lesser extent, the Indians.

In the meantime science and maths will now be taught in the national Malay language, Bahasa Malaysia, with the instruction of English to be increased by 70%. Those decisions may well improve English, maths and science skills but I would be amazed if it narrows the gap in achievement between the Malay and the Chinese and Indian minorities. That requires a change in attitude and hard work.