Teaching Maths And Science in BM

What has teaching Maths and Science in English got to do with the Philipines and the Japanese?

Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided that the medium of instruction for Maths and Science will revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools and mother-tongue languages in national-type schools from 2012 onwards.
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Future of our young at stake

English proficiency does not guarantee scientific progress, says PKR MP Zulkifli
PETALING JAYA: People in the Philippines are proficient in English, but many landed up only as maids, said controversial Kulim Bandar Bharu MP Zulkifli Noordin.

The Philippines, he said, took pride in their peoples’ ability to speak English but had only succeeded in exporting many maids, whereas Japan has produced many international award-winning scientists who could not even utter a word of English.
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MCA slams Kulim MP for looking down on maids
KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA has blasted Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Nordin for looking down on maids.

Its spokesman Wong Nai Chee said he was shocked with the statement made by PKR’s Zulkifli that Filipinos were fluent in English but only succeeded in exporting many maids....
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Forced to be maids due to poverty
I REFER to the comments made by the Kulim Bandar Baharu MP who said that Filipinos speak English but could only get work as maids.

For your information, Sir, some of us became maids simply because we are poor and have no means to further our studies.

In some cases, like Filipino nurses working as maids, it is because there are limited opportunities in our country and going out to work offers us better chances to earn higher wages.

And so Mr MP, I think it’s very naive of you to say that we are incapable of doing great jobs and yet we can speak English. And comparing us to Japan? What are you talking about? Japan is an industrialised country!

I feel sorry for those who are willing to improve their knowledge by learning English because individuals like you are a hindrance to their efforts. With due respect, Sir, you are a perfect example of someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

OFFENDED FILIPINO MAID,
Malacca.

Politician owes Filipina maids an apology
READING the letter “Forced to be maids due to poverty” (The Star, July 16), I have to say that I am amazed at the simple truths expressed so well by a person so looked down by our politicians. I quote her ... “I feel sorry for those who are willing to improve their knowledge by learning English because individuals like you are a hindrance to their efforts. With due respect, Sir, you are a perfect example of someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

What is there for me to add, except that maybe the politician involved should be magnanimous enough to issue an apology to the offended party.

Suffice to say that giving all sorts of excuses and blame to parties who have absolutely nothing to do with one’s inadequacies represent the thinking of a very shallow mind, which may be improved by some voracious reading of English books?

TAM YENG SIANG,