KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — The Education Ministry (MOE) welcomes local retired teachers to help improve students' English language proficiency, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Its minister Fadhlina Sidek said retired teachers have significantly contributed to the MOE's efforts to enhance English teaching and learning.
"For example, the HIP Mentor programme is one that we have implemented with retired teachers to help create an English environment in schools through various more engaging English language approaches and activities," she said.
Fadhlina was responding to Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah's query during the Minister's Question Time session, who asked about the proposals to involve local retired teachers in teaching English, besides using the services of teaching staff from Singapore.
The MOE is open about the matter and welcomes both local retired teachers and volunteers from Singapore who are willing to contribute.
When replying to Sabak Bernam MP Kalam Salan's original question on the government's specific plans on a proposal to bring in English teachers from Singapore, she said the initiative is still being reviewed.
The proposal to deploy volunteers funded by the republic to teach English in certain areas of Malaysia was the result of previous discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.
"This volunteer scheme aims to help improve the command of English among students in urban poor, suburban and rural areas, including Sabah and Sarawak.
"The MOE welcomes and is reviewing this volunteer proposal, especially from the aspect of implementation in MOE educational institutions, to ensure it aligns with existing policies and regulations.
"The MOE will also identify volunteers with specific qualifications to ensure the quality of teaching and learning," Fadhlina said.
She noted that the MOE has implemented similar initiatives involving teaching staff from developed countries such as Australia, the United States, and South Korea.
— Bernama
