KUCHING: The training of primary school teachers for the teaching of mathematics and science in English programme will start latest by September.

Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin said the training would involve 2,687 teachers to prepare them for the programme, which starts in primary schools throughout Sarawak effective Jan 1 next year. He also said that Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik and other top guns in the Education Ministry are supportive of Sarawak’s efforts to implement the programme, although the Sarawak government has to come up with its own funds.

“We cannot afford to fail because we are the only one in Malaysia to implement this programme.

“We are waiting for the modules and materials, as well as training of trainers. Once these are in, we will start by August or latest September to train the 2,687 teachers,” he said at a Gawai-Raya dinner organised by the ministry here on Monday.

Manyin also said there would not be any ‘u-turn’ from Sarawak in implementing the programme despite the tough task and financial costs involved.

“Our chief minister (Datuk patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) has already accepted the offer, accepted the challenge to teach mathematics and science in English in Sarawak. We cannot make any U-turn, we have to proceed,” he added.

Sarawak had agreed to be the first state in Malaysia to implement the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English for primary schools effective Jan 1 next year, after the opportunity was offered during a meeting on April 24 between Abang Johari and Maszlee.

According to Manyin again, his ministry and the Sarawak Education Department would also need to conduct engagement programmes with parents soon to get their full support for the programme.

He said this is to ensure parents understand the objective of the programme, and are ready for it when it is implemented.

On another matter, Manyin said the Sarawak government had agreed to the construction of five international private schools next year. Two of the schools will be in Kota Samarahan, and one each in Miri, Bintulu and Sibu.

With these schools, he said Sarawakians will have another option for quality education for its children.

He also said the construction of the Sarawak Science Centre had been given the nod by the state cabinet, adding that Singapore Science Centre would be the consultant for this initiative.

“Our ministry is the youngest ministry. I want to thank all those in the ministry for their cooperation in handling the big tasks and challenges given to us,” he said at the dinner, which was also attended by Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu William Patrick Nyigor, and Sarawak Education Department deputy director Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus.