.Tuesday, May 18, 2010 ' 10:24 PM Y
From a sarcastic point of view, such move seems to be a final solution or temporary restitution to a prolonged negligence, without taking consideration of its permanent impairment.
There has been great intensity among local youths who struggled with mastering their second language, Mother Tongue, particularly Chinese Language. It was researched to be the toughest language of the world to be learnt, due to its complexity in writing and pronunciation. Thus, students who are able to do well in both languages are worth rewarding, as commended by Timothy Low, a NTU undergraduate. However, likening the change in Mother Tongue weighing to punishment seemed a bit too harsh. As a core subject in primary education, it should share equal status to the remaining 3 subjects. Sadly, many sectors of the society fail to recognize. On the contrast, Mathematics and Science are prioritized by parents due to the criteria set by tertiary education, despite not all theories learnt through these subjects are as applicable as a language that can build communication. How often will one use Pythagoras' Therom or explain photo-synthesis in our daily life?
As there is increasing, or rather, overstressed importance placed on English Language, Mother Tongue has gradually lost its foot-hold in Asian culture, especially in highly urbanized and westernized Singapore. As a result, many students treat their Mother Tongue as a foreign language, instead of an ethic language. Even the Northeast Asian, such as Chinese and Korean, are learning English Language, so it does not seem to affect local talents in engaging China’s market in future.
However, Boston Lee, a web designer, pointed out the possibility of social problems that might arise if the society forsakes Mother Tongue. It has been, to a certain extent, a tragedy that majority of the Chinese could not speak dialects. Chinese dialects had been eliminated by Chinese Language, after government started promoting Chinese Language as a common language among local Chinese. Now, Singaporeans may face the possibility of having Mother Tongue, including Chinese Language, eliminated by English Language, if history repeats itself. In fact, such problem had existed long ago, but was ignored.
In rebuttal to Monica Lim's point of view, should students from non-English speaking home consider, or even be encouraged to drop English Language to reduce 'language load' and exam stress?
As a conclusion, it is rather unfair to the students, the educators, or even the society as a whole to implement such a change in the education system. Education determines the future of individuals, a nation and society; it is simply unwise to impose such a controversial impact on the compulsory primary education. As a democratic nation and society, such changes should be presented as an alternative, instead of a policy.
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Labels: Singaporean split on Mother Tongue weighing
