Govt says English-medium schools violates

Constitution
By Editor , in Nation on September 4, 2018 . Tagged width: Education , National Language ,
Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 4 – The Federal Constitution and the National Education Act does not
allow for any English-medium schools in the country, including in Sarawak, the Education
Ministry said today.

Dr Maszlee Malik, Education Minister

MalaysiaKini reported that the ministry had stated this in a written parliamentary reply to former
minister Nancy Shukri, who is Batang Sadong MP.

Nancy had asked for the ministry’s stance on Sarawak schools using English as the medium of
instruction.

In its response, the Education Ministry said it was against the use of English as the medium of
instruction in national schools because it violates Article 152(1) of the Federal Constitution and
the National Language Act 1963/67, and also contravenes the letter and spirit of the Education
Act 1996.

“Therefore, to preserve and honour the supremacy of the constitution and the law, the ministry
does not suggest that English be used as the medium of instruction in schools, including schools
in Sarawak.

“Raising the standards of English among students can be done from time to time through other
methods that are in line with the law and present education policies,” the ministry said in its
reply.

Article 152(1) of the Federal Constitution stipulates that Bahasa Malaysia is the national
language.

Meanwhile, Section 17 of the National Education Act 1996, states that Bahasa Malaysia must be
the main medium of instruction in schools except in national-type schools, where the national
language must be taught as a compulsory subject.

Prior to the general election last May, the Barisan Nasional had in its election manifesto,
promised to introduce English-medium schools as pilot projects in Sabah and Sarawak, if it
retained federal power.

-NMT