Make it compulsory to ensure higher standard of English

Let’s face it, the biggest motivation for any serious student is to pass, and if possible, to get excellent grades in any examination. But if being able to achieve ‘A’s but unable to get a full certificate because of a compulsory language requirement, then there is motivation to ensure that he or she is able to pass that subject.

Human nature is such that, sometimes, we need to make sure there is no option before we are willing to learn the subject. But then again, we must ensure that the standard is good enough and not like what had been reported recently, where lecturers were told to pass students who have not achieved the required marks. Sometimes, I do not know which is worse - being unable to get a job or to get one because deemed good enough, but unable to perform.

One of the few instances when I can fully agree with BN’s proposed policy, as reported in The Sun.
theSun: Pass in English a must for SPM

Ministry wants to make it compulsory for SPM candidates
Tim Leonard and Husna Yusop

KUALA LUMPUR (June 8, 2009) :
The Education Ministry wants to make a pass in English compulsory for students to obtain their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also education minister, said the government wants to ensure students who complete Form 5 "are well-versed in the English language".

"The ministry is currently working on the proposal and is in the midst of getting public feedback. We want the public to give their feedback on whether passing English in SPM should be compulsory for students to receive their certificate," he said.
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In CYBERJAYA, former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said making it compulsory for students to pass English in order to get their SPM ceritificate was a good move for their future.

"It will prepare them for globalisation and stand a better chance at securing jobs. (At the end of the day,) it is up to parents to decide because it concerns the future of their children, not that of the government.

"Without a strong command of the language, it will be difficult for them to study abroad or secure good jobs as they would be required to be able to converse well in the international language," he said after being conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Humanity by the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.

He said those who opposed the proposal were only interested in political mileage and not in education.
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