KUCHING, Aug 27: The federal government is open to the continued teaching of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI) in Sarawak schools despite not allowing it in the peninsula.
Sarawak Assistant Minister for Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said government had agreed with Sarawak on the continued implementation of the programme and may even fund it.
He told FMT the state government would seek an allocation from the federal government as Kuching had spent about RM10 million to RM11 million on the programme.
“As the state government will require about the same amount yearly, we will ask for allocations (from the federal government) in the coming years.
“The programme will stay no matter what,” he said.
Annuar also said the state government planned to build five international schools catering to “bright local students, particularly those in rural areas” with the medium of instruction being English.
“Therefore, this programme (teaching science and mathematics in English) is important to prepare our rural students for these schools,” he said.
The teaching of science and mathematics in English programme involves 27,931 Year 1 pupils in 1,034 primary schools throughout Sarawak.
