Gerakan Deputy Secretary General, Liang Teck Meng today urged the government to listen to the request of the people especially the voices of parents from PAGE with regards to the PPSMI issue. It is important that the wishes of the parents be met in order to uphold the “People First” spirit.

Liang said that Gerakan’s stand in PPSMI is that PPSMI should be implemented in secondary school whilst science and mathematics be taught using mother tongue in primary level.

Liang Teck Meng, who is also Member of Parliament for Simpang Renggam said, “The factor of consideration to use English to teach Science and Mathematics is no longer about improving English but to link the secondary education with tertiary education.” Liang quoted himself as an example saying that he was the subject of science and mathematics using Chinese at primary school level whilst both the subjects were taught in English when he was in higher secondary school. This system had helped him a lot in mastering his studies when he pursued his tertiary education overseas.

“We do not deny that there are many other methods to improve English, however, we have to take the global environment factor into consideration. It is undeniable that English is still the leading language in science and mathematics, most textbooks and reference books in the University are in English. Besides, if Malaysia is serious about developing into a first world nation, we will have to move toward the direction of innovation and creativity which will definitely involve the usage of English if we are to cooperate with other countries in the area of research and development,” Liang added.