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Number of Science-stream students reaches critical low of 29pc, prompting intervention

THE number of Form Four Science stream students has reached a low 29 per cent, prompting the Education Ministry to consider introducing Science-only boarding schools.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said yesterday the figure was well below the Science-Arts target of 60:40.

“This is worrying and needs to be rectified soonest,” Puad said yesterday.

At present, top-notch boarding schools also offer Arts stream classses.

Pressed for details, such as how soon it would be implemented and the numbers the ministry was targeting, Puad said: “This is a new initiative to promote the Science stream. We have no further details for now.”

Puad was commenting on Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin’s recent statement that the interest of students in Science subjects had dipped to a critical level.

Government efforts, including switching the medium of instruction for Science subjects from English to Bahasa Malaysia, have not yielded the desired results.

National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Loke Yim Pheng yesterday sought to explain the anomaly of improving Mathematics and Science results against a declining interest in Science.

“Science subjects are difficult. Good students have no problems coping but for average scorers opting for the Science stream, it will be a tough decision.”

The number of last year’s Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) candidates with Grade A in Mathematics showed an improvement of 1.3 per cent to 30.2 per cent from 28.9 per cent in 2010.

Similarly, 25.7 per cent achieved Grade A in Science last year, up from 21.7 per cent in 2010.

While straight-A students are encouraged by school counsellors to enrol in the Science stream, others are routinely advised to opt for Arts.

“Pressure and stresses” were cited as reasons for even top PMR scorers opting for the Arts stream, said Loke.

She said schools had to ensure that only the right teachers taught the right subjects as some teachers were not qualified enough to teach Science.

“Training is, therefore, crucial to produce expert teachers.”

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said last Friday that the government would seek measures, including the possibility of revising the curriculum and learning system to arrest the declining interest in Science in schools.

He said the issue had been raised in cabinet as the problem would have an adverse effect on national interests in the long term.

Yesterday, Puad told the New Straits Times, schools could stimulate greater interest by using information technology  as part of their teaching tool and  by organising field trips to places with Science- and technology-related item.

Also, government-linked companies, especially those dealing in the technology business, could sponsor such field trips or motivational talks for students, especially those in Form Three, who are mulling on their academic and career paths.

Puad spoke of additional training for teachers, a move backed by the National Parent-Teacher Association Collaborative Council (PIBGN).

PIBGN  president Datuk Mohd Ali Hasan said:  “The ministry should revise the salary schemes of Science teachers and perhaps offer them incentives to go the extra mile.”

Ali, a former geology department head at Universiti Malaya, said the journey should start at preschool with co-curricular activities to include more Science-based activities like Science societies, quizzes and debates.

“These activities can encourage and motivate pupils to enjoy Science and thus, see it as a way of life rather than another boring or tough subject.” - NST