Education ministry wants quality, world-class English teachers

NILAI: The education ministry wants English Teachers nationwide to master the language and reach a C2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (pix) said this would ensure the standard of teaching and learning of the English Language in the country were on par with international standards.
"To date, 20,000 or 52% of English teachers in primary and secondary schools have attained C1 and C2 of the CEFR.
"So, we want the English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) to continue playing a role in improving the level of mastery and quality of writing and communication of English Language teachers in an effort to produce students who are proficient in the language and can compete globally," he said.
Mahdzir was speaking to reporters after launching the ELTC campus and opening of the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) Colloquium here today.
Also present were Education Deputy Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon; Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad and ELTC director Dr Mohamed Abu Bakar.
Commenting further, Mahdzir said the launch of the ELTC campus was a historic moment for the ministry as it was the sole institution responsible for heading the English Language education system in the country.
"This centre shows that the government is serious in efforts to improve the quality of English Language teachers in schools," he added.
On a separate issue, the minister said the education director-general had issued the order to all district education offices (PPD) to open flood operations centres.
"So far, states which have been affected by floods are Sabah, Sarawak and Malacca ... we worry (because) the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) will be held next month," he said, adding that the PPD, nevertheless, had drawn up plans in the event of anything serious occurring. — Bernama