KUCHING: The Dual Language Programme (DLP) is proving to be an effective platform for Sarawakian students to strengthen their command of English, said State Education Department Director, Omar Mahli.
Speaking during his visit to SK Green Road to observe the second day of Sarawak’s Dual Language Programme Assessment Test (UP-DLP) for Year Six pupils today, Omar said early indications show that the programme is helping students improve both their written and spoken English skills.
“From what I’ve observed in their exercise books, the students are showing encouraging improvement in their English proficiency.
“Even through WhatsApp, many of them have started using English in their conversations,” he told reporters.
The UP-DLP, introduced this year for the first cohort after six years of the DLP’s implementation in Sarawak, is designed not only to assess students’ academic abilities but also to gauge the effectiveness of the programme in boosting language mastery.
“We want to see how far our students have progressed through the DLP.
“This is the first cohort to sit for the UP-DLP; so, it’s an important milestone for us to evaluate the programme’s impact,” Omar explained.
He emphasised that the DLP is more than just a policy; it creates an environment that encourages the daily use of English, from classroom interactions to casual communication among students.
At SK Green Road alone, 139 pupils sat for the UPDLP on Wednesday.
Omar noted that although this cohort has not experienced major national exams like Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), the students are taking the assessment test seriously and demonstrating strong commitment.
“Through this programme, we hope more students will have the opportunity to further their studies at international schools.
“At the same time, we can identify ways to make the teaching and learning of English even more effective,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak State Education Department will use findings from the UP-DLP to refine classroom approaches, including more engaging teaching methods and strategies to accelerate language acquisition.
The DLP, introduced in Sarawak in 2019, allows selected subjects to be taught in both English and Bahasa Melayu, providing students with more exposure to English in their daily learning.
The UP-DLP serves as a key benchmark in measuring the success of this initiative.
Statewide, a total of 1,038 national schools and 12 private schools are implementing the UP-DLP this year, involving 28,669 candidates from national schools and 562 from private schools.
Altogether, around 1,600 schools and more than 29,000 students are taking part in the assessment test.
