Minister Reassures Mother Tongue Teachers

I agree with the ministry's decision to maintain the weighting system for MTL at primary school level. As many students do not realize the importance of MTL, they speak English more frequently than their native language. Some parents think that mastering the English Language is more important than MTL thus teach and remind their children to speak English more often. Hence, neglecting the MTL.

I believe that by maintaining the weighting system for MTL at primary school level is the solution to the growing number of children from predominantly English-speaking homes. It would increase the students' awareness of the importance of the MTL. Dr Ng Eng Hen said in the article, there would be an increase of MTL teachers, enrichment programmes with schools in various countries. Language elective programmes at secondary and junior college levels have also been expanded. By doing so, students will realize the importance of the MTL.