School's plan to replace Kadazandusun with Arab language was overturned

KOTA KINABALU - A primary school's plan to scrap the Kadazandusun language for Primary One pupils and replace it with Arabic has been overturned by the Education Department.

Netizens on Wednesday did not take the school's plan lightly as the news went viral online but according to the department, the proposed move had to do with the lack of proficiency of its two Kadazandusun language teachers. The school in question is SK Sungai Sapi in Beluran which had earlier this year received its first J-QAF teacher (Jawi, Quran, Arabic Language and Fardu Ain), thus allowing the school to teach Arabic.

An unanimous decision was made by teachers to replace Kadazandusun subject with Arabic during a meeting held on Jan 13.

While lessons continue for the older batches until they graduate, the Kadazandusun language teaching would be phased out under the plan.

Education Director Datuk Jame Alip on Thursday overturned the school's plan and maintained that Kadazandusun as an elective subject will continue as usual.

He noted the school had not informed the department about the move and was saddened that letters that were distributed to parents had been used to stir sentiments.

"We have instructed the school to continue to carry out the Kadazandusun lessons only after learning about it when it went viral online," he told reporters here Thursday.

Jame denied the school had any ill intent but admitted a majority of the native language teachers in primary schools in Sabah lacked proficiency in the language.

And in the case of the SK Sungai Sapi, the two teachers were not able to cope with the educational standards as they were native speakers of the Dusun Tatana and Dusun Labuk.

Jame said all primary school teachers only had a six-week course under their belt before taking the job, adding that as 800 teachers are now assigned to schools across Sabah, only 200 are believed to have the necessary competencies.

"We will assign more teachers for SK Sungai Sapi to support the subject soon," he promised.

A total of seven out of 18 Primary One pupils are currently taking the subject at the school which has 102 pupils.

At present, Kadazandusun lessons are offered at schools in 21 districts, except Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu.