KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry has affirmed that it will not introduce an English language stream for the current missionary education system.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (Nibong Tebal-PH) confirmed this in a parliamentary written response to a query by Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas-PH), emphasising that the existing curriculum was still relevant.
Elaborating further, Fadhlina said the existing syllabus remains effective in nurturing high-quality human capital, aligning with the National Education Policy and the National Education Philosophy’s requirements.
“The teaching of English as a second language is carried out in all national primary and secondary schools. The need to master English among students is applicable to all types of schools, not just missionary schools,” Fadhlina said.
“A revision of the syllabus, in line with the intention to update the curriculum, is being implemented. Various initiatives and English programmes have (already) been specifically formulated.”
She added that among these initiatives is the English Language Education Roadmap (The Roadmap 2016-2025), which has established English proficiency benchmarks as aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for each educational stage, spanning from preschool to the post-secondary levels.
Other initiatives consist of the Highly Immersive Programme, which aims to develop an immersive English language environment at school, the English Language Enhancement in Schools Programme to improve student success through the implementation of English language interventions, and the Dual Language Programme, which aims to increase English proficiency. – November 7, 2023