Making the case for having foreign English language teachers, state Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said he believed that they could really make a difference.
“Their services are needed in line with the national policy of improving English proficiency and I think foreign teachers will actually bring a lot of difference to our state.
“These foreign English teachers can also help in the professional development of our our own teachers (in the state),” he was quoted as saying by the Sarawak-based daily.
Annuar, who is also assistant minister of housing and public health, added that the proficiency and command of English was important especially with the state’s emphasis on the digital economy.
The Nangka assemblyman however, did not believe it was a permanent solution to the state’s education woes when it comes to English proficiency.
“Previously, we used to bring English teachers from England as well as India and our standard of English was very high. But I hope that the services of foreign teachers would not be needed forever,” Annuar said, according to Borneo Post.
He also admitted to the standard having declined dramatically over the past 30 to 40 years.
On another note, Annuar also said that the three-day Sarawak English Language Education Symposium (Seles) 2017, starting today will see over 900 English teachers coming to Kuching from all over the state.
“Several experts have been invited, including from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, to expound on the subject and share their knowledge.
“After the seminar, strategies would be drawn up to improve the standard of English, adding that this is a long-term effort,” he said of the seminar organised by the state ministry of education, science and technological research.