Lowering the weighting for Mother Tongue?

At a recent interview with the media, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen shared that his Ministry is studying the possibility of reducing the weighting given to mother tongue languages in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Currently, mother tongue languages carry equal weightage of 25 per cent as the other three examinable subjects, English, Mathematics and Science. The combined aggregate score is used for admission into secondary school.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been receiving feedback from parents who expressed concern that their children who are weaker in mother tongue languages have lost out on a place in top secondary schools. In this regard, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will review teaching methods of the mother tongue language to ensure that lessons are tailored to the needs of different groups of students, and at the same time, encourage and incentivise students who are proficient in mother tongue languages to progress further. It was noted that such a move will strengthen Singapore’s bilingual edge, since mother tongue lessons will be pitched at the correct level for the students.

Below is a real-life scenario. This is found when i was reading the news online on straitstime.

MINISTER for Education Ng Eng Hen's revelation that his ministry is reviewing the weighting given to mother tongue in the PSLE score was good news for Lesley-Anne Tan, even though the 13-year-old would not benefit from the possible change of policy.

Lesley-Anne, who struggled with the Chinese language throughout her primary school years, even breaking down in tears when she could not memorise some of its characters, eventually scored an A.

But the teenager, who comes from an English-speaking home and is on the Gifted Education Programme, felt that her mother tongue results could have pulled her Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results down last year.

Now 13, the student from a top girls' school here, scored A*s for the other subjects, and describes studying Chinese as a 'challenge'.

She said: 'Lowering the weighting of mother tongue will benefit those who are good in other subjects, but are only weaker in MTL (mother tongue languages).'

Like Lesley-Anne, students who are finding it hard to cope with mother tongue languages told The Straits Times they welcomed the possibility of lowering the weighting for the mother tongue in the PSLE.
(extract taken from http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_517699.html)

Well, in my opinion i feel that lowering mother tongue language weighting for PSLE helps a lot in improving one's aggregate in PSLE. But lowering it makes it seems 'less important'. In Singapore, the education emphasize on at least two language for primary standards. But lowering of the standards might caused one to feel that it is unimportant and might not even study for it because the weighting of it is lower. But as one progresses, when he or she goes up to the secondary standard, they will face troubles coping with their mother tongue, and their overall results. On top of that, he or she may take up another language such as malay, japanese or even french. But if one could not even manage his or her mother tongue language, how could he or she manage another language?

Well, many people have different views. But i personally feel that lowering the weighting of mother tongue in PSLE is not a wise decision. It will affect one's future more or less. So what do you think? Do you think it is wise for the Ministry of Education to lower the weighting for Mother Tongue Language? Share with me your views by commenting. Thank you .

FYI- Ministry of Education has yet to decide on lowering the weighting of Mother Tongue Language in PSLE.