New Programmes To Promote Malay Language

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14 December 2006

NEW PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE MALAY LANGUAGE

The Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee (MLLPC), in collaboration with partner organisations, will be organising a host of Malay language, literature and cultural activities in 2007 to promote the learning and use of Malay language. The Committee is also inviting individuals and organisations with programmes that promote the Malay language, to apply for funding for their programmes.

Planned Activities in 2007

2. The activities planned thus far for 2007 are listed at Annex A. These activities aim to achieve the following objectives:

To enhance the use of spoken Malay;
To promote an appreciation of reading in Malay language among students;
To encourage greater participation by students, teachers and other Malay language users, in language, literature and cultural activities;
To procure, develop and make easily available reading resources from pre-school to secondary levels; and
To enrich the experiences of students and teachers through overseas study trips and training programmes by overseas experts.

3.          The MLLPC will provide funding to partner organisations to organise these activities. The partner organisations include Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM), Singapore Malay Teachers’ Union (KGMS), Malay Language Teachers’ Association (PGBM), Angkatan Sasterawan ’50 (ASAS ’50) and MENDAKI, which are established organisations with a track record for organising Malay language, literature and cultural activities.

MLLPC Funding for Other Activities

4.          To encourage even greater community initiative to promote the use and learning of Malay language, individuals and established Singapore-registered organisations may apply to MLLPC for funding of their programmes that support MLLPC’s mission. About $75,000 in total is available to fund such activities for 2007. The level of funding that successful applications can receive will vary depending on the nature and cost of the programmes.

5.          The MLLPC Secretariat will assess applications for funding based on merit, according to the following criteria:

A well-planned project or service that assists the promotion and use of Malay language among Malay students, teachers and other Malay language users;
A realistic and sound project-based budget;
A demonstrated need for funding from MLLPC; and
The ability to carry out the proposed projects or services.

6.          Applications for programmes in 2007 should be submitted at least 3 months before the start of the programme, or by 31 August 2007, whichever is earlier. For subsequent years, applications for programmes must reach the MLLPC Secretariat by 31 August of the preceding year.

7.          Further information on MLLPC funding guidelines and procedures for application are available at www.MLLPC.sg.

Background

8.          The MLLPC, chaired by Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Education) Mr Masagos Zulkifli, was set up in February 2006. It aims to enthuse students in learning the Malay language, and to develop in them an abiding interest in the Malay language, literature and culture. The MLLPC works with Malay community organisations, the media, Institutes of Higher Learning and schools to organise Malay language, literature and cultural activities which will help broaden the language environment.

9.          As announced by Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam in July 2006, MOE is providing a grant of $300,000 per year, over 5 years, to help fund the programmes of MLLPC. On top of the minimum grant, MOE will provide 1:1 matching for funds raised by the community, subject to a cap of $1.5 million. This means that MOE will be providing up to $3 million to the Malay community over 5 years, if the Malay community raises the funds to qualify for the maximum matching grant.

                                                                                                            ANNEX A

                                   PLANNED ACTIVITIES IN 2007 OF THE
               MALAY LANGUAGE LEARNING AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

Level	Activities
Pre-school Pupils	1. Provision of books for pre-school pupils
Primary Pupils	2. Speech & Drama Workshop for pupils
	3. Provision of books for P3-P6 pupils
Secondary Students	4. Arif Budiman Lecture for Secondary Students
	5. Workshop on Debating Skills
	6. Workshop cum Competition – Sayembara Penulis Muda
	7. Publication of Students’ Creative Writings
	8. Workshop cum Competition on ML IT-Games/Pod-cast
JC/Tertiary Students	9. Arif Budiman Lecture for JC/Tertiary Students
	10. Workshop on Hosting Skills
Teachers	11. Arif Budiman Lecture for Teachers
	12. Arif Budiman Teachers’ Awards
	13. Workshop for pre-school ML teachers
	14. Overseas Immersion Programme for Teachers
Parents/ Public	15. Arif Budiman Lecture for the Public
	16. Quiz on Language, Literature and Culture
	17. Learning Festival

Note: This list of activities is correct as at 13 Dec 06. It will be expanded when applications for funding of programmes by community organisations / individuals are approved.