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76 vernacular schools to implement dual languages next year

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Oct 12, 2016 76 Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) schools nationwide will implement the Dual Language Programme next year under the Ministry of Education's plan to improve language proficiency.According to Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon, an additional 64 schools have been approved by the ministry, along with the existing 12, to implement the Dual Language Programme (DLP), increasing the number of Malaysian Conforming Secondary Schools implementing DLP to 76.Schools who have applied for the programme and were rejected last year will be given a second chance. Last year, 43 SMJK were rejected due to failure to meet the required average score for Bahasa Malaysia. These schools are using the “soft-landing approach” where English is used for Science and Mathematics subjects.However, under the DLP, schools will be given the option to teach Science, Mathematics, Information Technology and Communication, and Design and Technology in English or Bahasa Malaysia.As of now, the programme is announced to be used in 300 schools as a pilot phase. Schools who wish to take part in this programme are required to fulfil certain requirements. However, schools will not be forced to implement the programme if they do not wish to and there will be no penalties for that.According to honorary secretary of the Malaysia Conforming Secondary Schools Development Council, Goh Boon Poh, many parents are relieved and took this as good news especially among those who have been advocating for DLP in SMJK schools.