PENAMPANG: Strengthening English proficiency is crucial to ensure Sabah students can compete nationally and globally, said Putatan Upko Chief Jason Lee (pic).Supporting party President Datuk Ewon Benedick’s proposal, he said school boards and Parent-Teacher Associations could consider introducing English Literature or using English to teach Science-stream and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) programmes.
Debating Ewon’s policy speech at Upko’s 17th Triennial Delegates Conference at Hongkod Koisaan recently, Jason said implementation must consider the readiness of schools, teachers and students, with rural pupils given equal opportunities.
He also supported closer cooperation among Sabah-based parties on the State’s rights and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation, saying political differences should not prevent them from presenting a united position.
Jason backed appointing an independent assessor if the State and Federal governments cannot agree on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, stressing: “The 40 per cent is not a gift to Sabah. The 40 per cent is not a favour to Sabah. The 40 per cent is Sabah’s right.”
