A study on vernacular school students' Bahasa Melayu proficiency was highlighted. The MP questioned government efforts to strengthen national language usage.
Bahasa Melayu Proficiency in Vernacular Schools
Tuan Wan Razali bin Wan Nor, Kuantan — The MP for Kuantan raised concerns about Bahasa Melayu proficiency among students in vernacular schools. He cited a 2020 study by UIAM Kuantan involving 414 students from five vernacular schools in Kuantan. The study found that 65.2 percent of students did not master reading and writing the national language. Nearly 40 percent were not fluent in reading Bahasa Melayu, and over half showed weakness in speaking skills.
He questioned the Minister regarding the inclusion of private schools in the national unity index findings. He also asked how the Ministry of National Unity collaborates with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education to strengthen the use of the national language.
saya tidak boleh terima rakyat Malaysia yang tidak fasih berbahasa Melayu. Jadi, saya ingin bertanya kepada Yang Berhormat Menteri, satu kajian yang dilakukan oleh UIAM Kuantan pada tahun 2020 terhadap 414 pelajar di lima sekolah vernakular di Kuantan, mendapati 65.2 peratus pelajar tidak menguasai bahasa dan menulis bahasa kebangsaan. Hampir 40 peratus tidak lancar membaca dalam bahasa Melayu jadi lebih separuh pula didapati lemah dalam kemahiran bertutur. Jadi, adakah sekolah persendirian turut diambil kira dalam dapatan indeks perpaduan nasional dan seterusnya bagaimana Kementerian Perpaduan bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi bagi memperkukuhkan penggunaan bahasa kebangsaan ini.
This parliamentary mention underscores ongoing discussions about national language mastery across all educational streams, including SJK(T), and calls for inter-ministerial collaboration to address the issue.