DLP: Engagement session in Penang received very good feedback from stakeholders, says Fadhlina

KEPALA BATAS: The Penang State Education Department has received very positive feedback for its engagement sessions held with all stakeholders regarding the handling of the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in several schools in the state.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has said the engagement sessions aimed to understand the needs of all parties, adhere to guidelines, and reaffirmed the policy of upholding Bahasa Melayu while strengthening English.

“We have emphasised that the guidelines must be followed. That is why the engagement sessions are very important. Post-issue, the Penang State Education Department has once again gone down to provide clarification, and these engagement sessions are actually part of an ongoing process.

“The feedback from the engagement sessions conducted by the Penang State Education Department with the involved parties after the issue arose has been very good. I think that’s why we need to conduct these engagement sessions so that everything proceeds smoothly,” she told reporters after officiating the Penang Mutiara Media Club Family Day at a water theme park in Bertam on Sunday (June 9).

She was commenting on the developments following actions by the School Board and the Parents and Teachers Association’s from 11 primary and secondary vernacular schools in Penang, who requested the Education Ministry to respect parents’ wishes and return to the original intent of the DLP in Science and Mathematics.

The DLP is a programme under the policy of “Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the English Language” (MBMMBI), which gives schools the option to use English in teaching Science and Mathematics.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina said the Penang State Education Department was investigating the incident where a student was allegedly punished under the hot sun for almost three hours at a school recently.

“We have also handed the matter over to the authorities, and the investigation is being conducted by the police. This means that the investigation and subsequent actions are in the hands of the authorities.

“A police report has been filed, and we are leaving it to them for further action,” she said.

Local media reported that the student’s mother claimed her child suffered from heatstroke and nerve issues and was given a referral letter to be evaluated as a Person with Disabilities (OKU) due to health problems arising from the incident. – BK