Etems..again and again..

Much has been discussed on whether to revert the teaching of Math and Science back to B Malaysia.As a person directly involved in the implementation of teaching Math n Science in English in a rural area, I would say that we should continue with what has been started,look into the problem genuinely and rectify those problems.The problems and shortcomings of this noble intention should be identified clearly even if it is a long-listed one.
The first phase, that is 6 years ,has passed.We have received the products that is the result of the UPSR from the first batch of Etems primary school students and also the result of SPM from the first batch of Etems secondary school students. However, the Ministry of Education still has not given a clear picture and specific analysis of the outcome.
During the first phase, all Math n Science teachers were sent to somekind of either resort or hotel for training.They could have their training and holiday at the same time, and not to mention the good food they enjoyed there.They are also being given allowance(bisp) for the extra work that they should do.The laptops are also supplied to each of them.For the school, facilities are upgraded,computer labs are built, Math, Science and English labs are equipped with LCD and computers including all the programmes and CDs from the departments and the ministry.Now that is the first phase.Even the administrators, from the ministry down to the school level are exposed and be informed of this Etems for easy monitoring.Millions have been spent on this .
The second phase , look into the problem in depth.The Ministry has supplied almost everything needed which i think more than enough but why Etems is still considered unsuccessful.Our kids are still struggling with the subjects,the results are not becoming at all, the students in rural areas are still left behind in terms of perfomance, teachers are not well versed in the language and the list goes on.
A major problem that i could see clearly and vividly is the genuine implementation.It is like building apartments.Physically everything is equipped.the pipe line, electricity supply, the road, sanitary system etc..etc..But will the water supply reach the top most floor..or is there any blockage in the sanitary system ..If there are, solve each problem.Of course, you cant just demolish the building and burn millions of $$$.Yes, some may say that in the process of identifying and solving the problems,we are jeapordizing the future of more and more kids.However, children having inquisitive,curious and young minds are sure to learn something in the Etems class.This is from my experience of being a teacher for 20++years and a mother of 4 school going children.
To the negative remark that says Etems will throw BM outside the classroom, that is exageration!The teachers and children are more than happy to use BM as a medium of instruction for other subjects in the classroom.Sooner or later these kids will reach the college and varsity level where English is used as medium of instruction.So, isn't it good and wise to prepare them now so as not to have a hurly burly time later?Afterall, language is best learned at an early age.
As a person who involves directly with this Etems, I would say part of the failure lies on the teachers...the people who are supposed to impart the language and the content in the classroom.They hesitate to use English in the classroom and teach solely in BM.They seldom attend English class and are not optimistic at all about improving themselves and the spirit of Malaysia Boleh is NIL.But there is another group who would use English,seem motivated,eager to attend English class and voice out their opinion although they stumble here and there and accept comments and critics readily.This group has improved a lot.In fact i would say this group is able to teach English at lower level.
For the ministry to send enough good speakers of Etems teachers to the rural areas is out of question.So what the school could do is to solve this domestic problem and manipulate the teachers they have.Continuous in-house training should be implemented at school level until these Etems teachers are able to speak up. The people who should closely monitor and shoulder this responsibility are the headschool,PK 1, head of language department,head of Math n Science department and the English head panel.Close monitoring and stringent supervision should be carried out ( kerana sesetengah tak ambil pot langsung). Teachers are considered a bright group of people or else they wont be able to get through their college or varsity.What s more, these teachers are Math and Science teachers who are supposed to be brainy as compared to the art group.I am sure they can learn fast if they want too.Afterall, classroom language is simple and besides,the technical terms are all supplied to them.So, speak up!
This remind me of the speaking test i conducted with the Etems teachers months ago.Some of the teachers could not speak at all, could not even utter a single English word, instead just smiling away ..and mind you, this group include the headschool.So ..what did they get from those resort-style of training..i wouldnt know..
To future Etems teachers who are still struggling and grueling at the varsity, equip yourselves with as much knowledge and language as possible so that you could continue to carry out this noble intention smoothly.Once, a friend of mine, a lecturer complained to me that the students in her English class are not proficient enough to be English teachers and cynically blaming the teachers for not giving enough.I thought wouldnt it better for her to take this as a challenge and see what a scholar like her can contribute to upgrade the standard of English in this country.Teachers are only able to deal with the shallow part, the in depth part reqiures an expertist.
So, I suppose if we still have this inspiring dream of becoming a global player in 2020, then Etems is the right choice.. Afterall, the government has open the door widely for us, so it is up to the teachers to enter with the spirit of Malaysia Boleh..