Bernama:
The government will study the possibility of making English Language a must pass subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.SPM Sejarah (History) is an SPM must-pass subject beginning 2013, and those who failed SPM Sejarah can retake the subject in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Ulangan (SPMU) 2014 onwards. The education ministry is now considering about making SPM English another SPM must-pass subject in addition to SPM Bahasa Melayu and SPM Sejarah. Since all subjects like Science and Mathematics are important too, why doesn't the ministry consider making all subjects a must-pass for SPM? And we will see increasing number of students finishing secondary school without getting an SPM certificate thanks to Muhyiddin.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin however said the proposal would only be implemented when the students and the learning system were ready.[...]
Muhyiddin said the ministry would ensure that English option teachers can make children master the language like those in developed countries.
"The same goes for Science, Mathematics and Bahasa Melayu. Attention will also be given to these subjects," said the Education Minister.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had allocated RM500 million under the National Education Development Plan to train teachers in Bahasa Melayu, English, Science and Mathematics.
"These four subjects are priority while the others will be implemented later. This is the great challenge facing Guru Muda 1Malaysia."
He said 49.5 percent of teachers nationwide are between 21 and 35 years and have a big role in determining the success of the education system.