Science study tax breaks ‘divisive’ and ‘flawed’: DAP MP

Science study tax breaks ‘divisive’ and ‘flawed’: DAP MP

By Ida Lim

December 22, 2012

Malaysian Insider

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s proposal to get more students to study science by giving their parents tax breaks is “flawed” and “divisive”, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok said today.

Kok (picture) said that this proposal would be “unfair to those who have the passion and interest for art subjects”, saying the promotion of science subjects only would “indirectly create a misconception... that art stream students are inferior”.

“The proposed incentive may set the path for students to drop all the art subjects in school.
“Parents may be lured through this lop-sided incentive to influence or pressure their children to enter into the science stream,” Kok said in a statement today.

She stressed that students should have the freedom to learn based on their own needs and interests.
Kok said Muhyiddin, who is both the education minister and the deputy prime minister, should first discuss this proposal with other stakeholders.

“I urge Muhyiddin to tread carefully in matters of education and not to go on this divisive path. I hope the Cabinet will consult with educationists, parents groups and other stakeholders before the Education Ministry is allowed to proceed further,” the Seputeh MP said.

Muhyiddin reportedly made this proposal last month, having noted that the number of Form Five students from the science stream this year is only 20 per cent and did not meet the national aim of 60 per cent.