MOE SETS UP LEARNING AND PROMOTION COMMITTEES FOR MALAY AND TAMIL LANGUAGES - CREATING A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING
1. The Ministry of Education (MOE) will set up the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee (MLLPC) and Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC) in February 2006. Both Committees aim to enthuse students in learning the Malay and Tamil Languages, and to develop in them an abiding interest in the respective languages, literature and cultures.
2. The Committees will work with the Malay and Indian community organisations, the media, Institutes of Higher Learning and schools to organise language, literature and cultural activities. These activities will help broaden the language environment, to encourage students to continue using Malay and Tamil even after their years in school. The terms of reference for the Committees are at Annexes A and B.
3. The MLLPC will be chaired by Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education and Manpower). The TLLPC will be chaired by Mr S Iswaran, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC. Both Committees will comprise Members of Parliament, and representatives from tertiary education institutions, Tamil and Malay community organisations, media and other professional bodies. The compositions of MLLPC and TLLPC are at Annexes C and D respectively.
Background
4. The Malay Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee (MLCPRC) and Tamil Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee (TLCPRC), chaired by Associate Professor Dr Hadijah Rahmat of the National Institute of Education and Dr N Varaprasad, CEO of National Library Board respectively, were formed in December 2004. These Committees conducted comprehensive reviews on the teaching, learning and assessment of the respective languages.
5. In November 2005, the MLCPRC and TLCPRC proposed several recommendations to enthuse ML and TL students in the learning of languages. One key recommendation was for MOE to establish committees to collaborate with Malay and Tamil community organisations in promoting the use of the languages.
Annex A
The Malay Language Learning And Promotion Committee
Terms Of Reference
The Committee will
1. Elicit support from the community to implement the recommendations of the Malay Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee.
2. Collaborate with Malay community organisations in organising activities to support the teaching and learning of Malay Language, with emphasis on the following areas:
· promoting the use of spoken Malay and inculcating interest and appreciation in Malay Language, literature and culture among the young;
· sourcing and developing reading materials to promote reading among students;
· organising literary activities, competitions and camps;
· organising seminars and workshops for teachers; and
· organising talks and workshops and publishing reference resources for parents to promote the use of Malay at home.
Annex B
The Tamil Language Learning And Promotion Committee
Terms Of Reference
The Committee will:
1. Elicit support from the community to implement the recommendations of the Tamil Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee.
2. Collaborate with Tamil community organisations in organising activities to support the teaching and learning of Tamil Language, with emphasis on the following areas:
· promoting the use of Spoken Tamil and inculcating interest and appreciation in Tamil Language, literature and culture among the young;
· sourcing and developing reading materials to promote reading among students;
· organising literary activities, competitions and camps;
· organising seminars and workshops for teachers; and
· organising workshops and talks and publishing reference resources for parents to promote the use of Tamil at home.
Annex C
Composition of the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee
|
No |
Name/Organisation |
|
Chairman | |
|
1. |
Mr Hawazi Daipi SPS (Education and Manpower) |
|
Members | |
|
2. |
Mr Yatiman Yusof, SPS (Information, Communication and the Arts) Chairman, Malay Language Council of |
|
3. |
Mr Ahmad Khalis Abdul Ghani Member of Parliament for Hong Kah GRC |
|
4. |
Acting Assistant Head, Asian Languages and Cultures, NIE, NTU |
|
5. |
Head, Malay Studies Department, NUS |
|
6. |
Miss Fuziah Muhamad Taha Principal, |
|
7. |
Mdm Aini Maarof Principal, |
|
8. |
Mr Mohamed Noh Daipi Assistant Director, Curriculum Planning & Development Division, MOE |
|
9. |
Mdm Rashidah Ab Rasip CEO, MENDAKI |
|
10. |
Mr Mohd Anuar Yusop Executive Director, Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) |
|
11. |
Mr Zulkifli Mohammed President, Central Council of Malay Cultural Organisations (Majlis Pusat) |
|
12. |
Mr Mustaffa Abu Bakar Chairman, MESRA , Peoples Association |
|
13. |
Mr Izzuddin Taherally President, Malay Youth Literary Association ( |
|
14. |
Mr Abdul Malek Ahmad |
|
15. |
Mr A Samat Ali Secretary, Angkatan Sasterawan '50 (ASAS '50) |
|
16. |
Mr Guntor Sadali Editor, Berita Harian |
|
17. |
Mdm Zakiah Halim General Manager, Malay/Indian Programming, MediaCorp Radio |
|
18. |
Mr A Fahmi Rais Vice President, Suria, Mediacorp TV12 |
|
19. |
Mr Wan Imran Woojdy President, Malay Language Teachers Association (PGBM) |
|
20. |
Mr Alwi Hafiz, Director, Operations and Global Delivery, Hewlett-Packard Services Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. |
|
21. |
Mrs Fatimah Sulaiman Senior Manager, Public Library Services, National Library Board (NLB) |
|
22. |
Mr Isa Kamari Member, Steering Committee for |
|
23. |
Mr Mohd Aidil Subhan Mohd Sulor Chairman, Intellectual Lecture Series on Malay Heritage, Malay Heritage Centre |
Annex D
Composition of the Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee
|
No |
Name/Organisation |
|
Chairman | |
|
1. |
Mr S Iswaran Deputy Speaker of Parliament & MP for West Coast GRC |
|
Members | |
|
2. |
Dr Chitra Sankaran Assistant Professor, Department of English Language & Literature, NUS |
|
3. |
Mr Yue Lip Sin Deputy Director, Curriculum Planning & Development Division, MOE |
|
4. |
Mr Venugobal M Thangaraju TL Curriculum Specialist, MOE |
|
5. |
Mr Jeyarajadas Pandian Supervisor, Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre |
|
6. |
Mr Satianathan s/o K Nadarajah Principal, |
|
7. |
Mr A Sivam Reddy Principal, |
|
8. |
Mr R Rajaram Gen. Secretary, Tamil Language Council of |
|
9. |
Mr M Harikrishnan Chairman, Tamil Language and Cultural Society |
|
10. |
Mr V Pandiyan Gen. Secretary, Tamils Representative Council |
|
11. |
Mr S Vivakanandan Chief Executive Officer, SINDA |
|
12. |
Mr Naseer Ghani Vice-President, Federation of Indian Muslims (FIM) |
|
13. |
Mr P Thirunalkarasu Chairman, PA Indian Executive Committees Coordinating Council |
|
14. |
Mr R Ramachandran Chief Executive Officer, National Book Development Council |
|
15. |
Mr Naa. Aandeappan |
|
16. |
Ms Pushpalatha Naidu Senior Executive, Heritage & Asia, National Library Board |
|
17. |
Mrs Meenatchi Sabapathy Senior Producer Presenter, Oli 96.8 MediaCorp Radio |
|
18. |
Mr Vinod Kumar M Manager, Vasantham Central - Programming, MediaCorp TV 12 |
|
19. |
Ms Nirmala M Editor, Tamil Murasu |
|
20. |
Mr S Samikannu President, |
|
21. |
Mr T Chandroo Head of Modern Montessori International Pte Ltd |
|
22. |
Mr T T Dhavamani Director, Blueriver Pictures, Pte Ltd |
|
23. |
Mr Vadivalagan PVSS Advisor, Ravindran Drama Group |