Teachers' perception in teaching Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Melayu

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate teachers’ perception on teaching Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Melayu after having teaching both these subjects in English for eight (8) years in zone Skudai. 65 Mathematics and Science teachers in six different schools in the area of Skudai were selected as respondents of this research. The objectives of this study have been narrowed down to investigate the three aspects, namely, perceptions of the teachers using Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction, problems encountered by teachers in using Bahasa Melayu to teach Mathematics and Science as well as teachers’ perception about the change in policy to teach Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Melayu. The data were obtained by using a set of questionnaire of 33 items, divided into two parts. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed into percentages, means, frequencies and ANOVA. The findings of this study revealed that the Mathematics and Science teachers showed moderate perception towards the teaching of these subjects in Bahasa Melayu with the mean value obtained is 3.45. Even though they are confident to teach in Bahasa Melayu, nevertheless they also have problems when using Bahasa Melayu as medium of instruction for teaching Mathematics and Science whereas the mean value obtained is 3.34. However, the highest mean value is obtained on teachers’ perception about the change in the policy that is 3.65. Overall mean value revealed teachers’ perception in this study is moderate.