KUALA KUBU BARU: The government must immediately remove all uncertainties created by an education policy which affects SPM students who want to sit for both Tamil language and Tamil literature subjects, said PKR's candidate for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat Zaid Ibrahim today.
“Indian students sitting for SPM should have the freedom to take both Tamil language and Tamil literature subjects,” he told FMT.
“Many Indian parents here have expressed their concerns to me about the plight of these students having problems in taking Tamil literature as one of the optional subjects at SPM level,” he added.
The new policy, implemented by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, limits the number of SPM subjects to only 10.
This creates a situation where a student is then restricted from sitting for both Tamil language or Tamil literature as optional subjects, largely due to the number of core subjects the students will have to take. It is the same case for all students taking mother-tongue languages and literature studies for SPM.
Following severe objections from community leaders and educationists, the education ministry then agreed to allow these students to take 12 subjects to include the mother-tongue language and literature on the condition the marks of these two subjects will not be considered for the final results. The two subjects will also not be recognised for JPA scholarships and for other official purposes.
Another round of objections ensued but until today the matter remains unsolved, leaving many Indian students in a dilemma as to optional subjects they should sign up for.
“I have been informed that in the absence of any official statement from the education minister and without any official circular from the education ministry on this matter, the Indian students are in a quandary about the future of Tamil literature as a subject at SPM level,” Zaid said.
Muhyiddin should declare his stand
He added that all Malaysian students, irrespective of their race, should be given the freedom to pursue their own mother-tongue education.
He said that since Muhyiddin is also leading the Barisan Nasional's campaign in Hulu Selangor, it was incumbent on the minister to declare his stand on the SPM Tamil literature so that the issue can be solved.
“He should issue an official circular on behalf of the education ministry to all the schools and relevant educational bodies that Indian students be allowed to take Tamil language or Tamil literature at SPM level without any problems.
“The additional two subjects taken in addition to the 10 core subjects should be given equal ranking with other subjects and should also be considered for all official purposes including JPA scholarships,” he said.
The April 25 Hulu Selangor by-election will see Zaid taking on BN's P Kamalanathan for the seat which was won by PKR from MIC in the March 2008 general election.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Zainal Abidin Ahmad on March 25.
FMT
20/04/10
“Indian students sitting for SPM should have the freedom to take both Tamil language and Tamil literature subjects,” he told FMT.
“Many Indian parents here have expressed their concerns to me about the plight of these students having problems in taking Tamil literature as one of the optional subjects at SPM level,” he added.
The new policy, implemented by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, limits the number of SPM subjects to only 10.
This creates a situation where a student is then restricted from sitting for both Tamil language or Tamil literature as optional subjects, largely due to the number of core subjects the students will have to take. It is the same case for all students taking mother-tongue languages and literature studies for SPM.
Following severe objections from community leaders and educationists, the education ministry then agreed to allow these students to take 12 subjects to include the mother-tongue language and literature on the condition the marks of these two subjects will not be considered for the final results. The two subjects will also not be recognised for JPA scholarships and for other official purposes.
Another round of objections ensued but until today the matter remains unsolved, leaving many Indian students in a dilemma as to optional subjects they should sign up for.
“I have been informed that in the absence of any official statement from the education minister and without any official circular from the education ministry on this matter, the Indian students are in a quandary about the future of Tamil literature as a subject at SPM level,” Zaid said.
Muhyiddin should declare his stand
He added that all Malaysian students, irrespective of their race, should be given the freedom to pursue their own mother-tongue education.
He said that since Muhyiddin is also leading the Barisan Nasional's campaign in Hulu Selangor, it was incumbent on the minister to declare his stand on the SPM Tamil literature so that the issue can be solved.
“He should issue an official circular on behalf of the education ministry to all the schools and relevant educational bodies that Indian students be allowed to take Tamil language or Tamil literature at SPM level without any problems.
“The additional two subjects taken in addition to the 10 core subjects should be given equal ranking with other subjects and should also be considered for all official purposes including JPA scholarships,” he said.
The April 25 Hulu Selangor by-election will see Zaid taking on BN's P Kamalanathan for the seat which was won by PKR from MIC in the March 2008 general election.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Zainal Abidin Ahmad on March 25.
FMT
20/04/10
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