Providing More Opportunities to Learn Malay Language in School

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9 March 2005

PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MALAY LANGUAGE IN SCHOOL

1. MOE will be providing more opportunities for our students to learn Malay Language (ML) in school. This is part of MOE’s continuing efforts to give greater flexibility and choice for students to pursue their passions and interests. From 2007, Secondary One students will be allowed to offer Malay (Special Programme) [MSP] in addition to their native MTL, as long as they have the interest and inclination.

2. The ability to speak and understand Malay is useful, and will help more young non-Malay Singaporeans engage with their counterparts in the region. Proficiency in Malay would further enhance interaction among the ethnic communities and facilitate inter-racial understanding.

3. MOE encourages more schools to provide school-based MSP and conversational Malay enrichment programmes to their students. Over time, MOE would facilitate the opening of more MSP centres, other than MOE Language Centre, if there are more students offering the subject.

Background

4. Malay (Special Programme) is an optional O-level third language subject that is offered to Secondary One students who meet the following criteria:

Are among the top 10% of PSLE cohort, or
Are within the 11-30% band in PSLE with an A* in MTL or Distinction in Higher MTL and at least an A in English Language.

5. Currently, there are more than 300 Secondary One students offering Malay as a third language in our MOE Language Centre.

6. From 2007, both these criteria will be lifted to allow students to offer Malay as a third language if they have the interest and inclination.