BINTULU-The Government believed that the usage of English language to teach Science and 
Mathematics subjects will open the opportunity for school students in the country to improve 
their command of Scientific English language.

Education Minister, Tan Sri Musa Mohamad said Science and Mathematics are the fields of 
knowledge that had greatly developed compared to other subjects and were disseminated in English 
language through books, journals and the Internet.

"Those who had reached a good command of Scientific English could easily absorb these new 
knowledge," he told the Parliament session recently in responding to questions by the Bintulu 
Member of Parliament Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing.

The Minister added that the Government had already analysed the feedbacks from the various 
communities over the introduction of the language for the subjects and assured that the 
decision to proceed was to ensure that the next generation would be able to absorb and utilise 
new knowledge they learnt from the fields.

He stressed that the future development of Malaysia depended closely with her citizens ability 
to utilise and develop science and technology knowledge.

As it would be difficult to translate every new material on Science and technology into Bahasa 
Malaysia due to the astounding volumes produced everyday, he added that it would be easier if 
the materials could be read in its original language that majority are in English.

He further substantiated that a remarkable command of General English is not a yardstick to 
assess a person's understanding of knowledge that had been expressed in Scientific English 
that could lead them to explore newer knowledge with ease.

The usage of English language in teaching Mathematics and Science would be implemented in 
stages starting Year One in Primary School and Form One to Lower Six in 2003 with the target 
that the teaching would be fully conducted in English in six years period.

A main committee with 15 working committees had been formed to ensure a smooth implementation 
of the policy and one of the preparations made was provision of courseware to teach science, 
mathematics and English.

Other efforts being carried out were to translate all relevant textbooks supplied to schools 
into English at least before the beginning of December this year, supply of supporting material 
for teaching and learning.

The Ministry also initiated the provision of modules and activity sheets for English, Science 
and Mathematics for Year One students, purchase of computers and LCD projecters to facilitate 
teaching.

They would also train teachers requiring guidances in English and methods to become 
facilitators and to start an incentive scheme for English, Mathematics and Science teachers 
to encourage them to raise their competency.