SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS (Choice of medium of instruction)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education what special circumstances, if any, are taken into consideration to allow principals flexibility in the choice of the medium of instruction for the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the aim of my Ministry that eventually the teaching of Science and Mathematics will be in English in all our schools. However, since 1975 because of shortage of suitable English speaking teachers, principals of non-English medium schools have been given the discretion to recommend not to use English as the medium if they are of the opinion that their pupils' learning of Science and Mathematics is retarded by difficulties caused by bad command of English.

To-date, 34 schools `have raised this matter with the Ministry and all except one have been allowed to use language other than English as the medium.

Some of the special circumstances submitted by school principals in their recommendations are:

(1) Shortage of suitable teachers.

(2) Home background of pupils not conducive to the understanding of English.

(3) Past performance of pupils extremely poor.

Mr Conceicao: Sir, why was an exception made in the case of that single school for which permission was not given for flexibility in the choice of the medium of instruction?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: They were unable to substantiate their recommendation to the satisfaction of the Ministry.