Title:

Poor performance of children, particularly in Mathematics, Science and

the English Language

Purpose:

To inform the audience on the problems that needs to be addressed; what

actions that members of the association can take part in and provide some
solutions

I. Introduction
First and foremost, let us extend our gratitude to god as with His Grace and Mercy, we
are given the opportunity to meet again in this meeting. I believe it is still not too late for me to
greet a Happy New Year 2014 to all members of Parent-Teacher Association in SK Tambisan. All
of us in this meeting pray that our teacher will work harder, more diligent, honest and full of
dedication in carrying all of their responsibilities.
For our students who are facing the UPSR exams in this year, September, we are wishing
them to study well and face the final exams in calm. It is hoped that their hard work alongside
with the effective and systematic learning techniques would help them to achieve glory and
success.
During 2014, there had been many programmes and activities conducted by SK Tambisan
with great supports and collaborations from all parties including parents. Congratulations to all
parties that had successfully organized all the programmes for the benefits for our children.
Undoubtedly, the programmes would help in shaping the students to be ready for their upcoming
examination.

II. Body
A. Pupils poor performance, particularly in Mathematics, Science and the English
Language.
The main issue in our school has always been an argumentative topic and believe it or not, no
other than Pupils poor performance, particularly in Mathematics, Science and the English
language has awakened more argumentative views among parents. Over the last few year,
Parent-Teacher Association in SK Tambisan has originated its effort not only to disseminate the
importance of Mathematics, Science and the English language but also carried out many
initiatives activities, realizing the fact that it is highly important in terms of nation building and
global competitiveness.
English language proficiency holds prominence due to its importance in Malaysias
interaction with the rest of the world. However, despite these fact, it is apparent that there is vast
discrepancy in the mastery of English language between urban and rural students still exists.
While some may argue that we should not only blame the school as initiatives have been taken
over the years to fix the problem.
The debate on whether to abandon the policy of teaching Maths and Science in English
continues. Some parents have suggested that schools be given the option to teach both the
subjects in English. A comparison between the English and the Malay dailies predictably reveals
two schools of thought - one for, and the other against. The latter is concerned with how the
Malay language has been robbed of its status as a language of Maths and Science, in other words
a language of intellectual and scientific discourse.
Many have argued that improving the command of the English language should be done by
increasing the number of periods allotted to its teaching and not by learning it through Maths and
Science. As it is, the timetable is heavily loaded, and increasing it for English would be at the
expense of other subjects. The long-term objective of the policy, however, is not only to expose
students to the use of English for communication, but also English as a language of Maths and
Science. But "Malay nationalists", as one parent wrote, have vehemently opposed the move as
one that downgrades the importance of Bahasa Malaysia (BM) as the primary language of
instruction.

Most students cannot stay focused throughout a lecture. After about 10 minutes their
attention begins to drift, first for brief moments and then for longer intervals, and by the end of
the lecture they are taking in very little and retaining less. A classroom research study showed
that immediately after a lecture students recalled 70% of the information presented in the first ten
minutes and only 20% of that from the last ten minutes (McKeachie 1999).
B. Improving the teaching and learning in Mathematics, Science and the English Language.

School
The intelligent use of technology can transform and improve almost every aspect of school,
modernizing the nature of curriculum, student assignments, parental connections, and
administration. Online curricula now include lesson plans, simulations, and demonstrations for
classroom use and review. With online connections, students can share their work and
communicate more productively and creatively. Teachers can maintain records and assessments
using software tools and stay in close touch with students and families via email and voicemail.
Schools can reduce administrative costs by using technology tools, as other fields have done, and
provide more funds for the classroom. For example Students in Sekolah Bestari, have abandoned
their textbooks. Instead, they plan, research, and implement their experiments using material
gathered online from reliable chemistry resources.

Parents
When schoolwork involves parents, students learn more. Parents and other caregivers are a
child's first teachers and can install values that encourage school learning. Schools should build
strong alliances with parents and welcome their active participation in the classroom. Teachers
should inform parents of the school's educational goals, the importance of high expectations for
each child, and ways of assisting with homework and classroom lessons. In Linus Tegar
program, teachers make home visits to students' families. Teachers gain a better understanding of

their students' home environment, and parents see that teachers are committed to forging closer
home-school bonds. If English or Bahasa Malaysia is not spoken in the home, translators
accompany the teachers.
Studies have connected parental involvement with improved school performance. Involved
parents do many things to improve their schools from impacting student behaviour through their
presence to advocating for school improvement plans. In addition, parents who volunteer in their
child's school visibly demonstrate that they care, that they are taking ownership of their child's
education. This affects the child, the teachers and the administrators, who then feel both
acknowledged and supported.
Research clearly supports the connection between a parent's involvement and their own child's
achievement. A 2002 review of the research conducted on this subject (A New Wave of Evidence:
The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement), asserts that
children with parents who are involved in their education maintain higher grades, attend school
more regularly, continue in school and demonstrate better behavior. Children are more likely to
enjoy school if their families show commitment towards their school and enthusiasm for the
learning process.

Teachers
The most important role for teachers is to coach and guide students through the learning process,
giving special attention to nurturing a student's interests and self-confidence. As technology
provides more curricula, teachers can spend less time lecturing entire classes and more time
mentoring students as individuals and tutoring them in areas in which they need help or seek
additional challenges. Prepare a game show, trivia quiz, bingo or other fun activity for the first
day of class. The subject matter questions might be about general terminology and well known
concepts. Try to ask some questions that students will know to help them connect what they
previously know to what they will be learning. Both types of questions are great stimuli to get
students discussing, thinking about this course and asking you further questions. Teacher can

involve more students in a fun way to review for a test. This is a slight variation on the quiz
show review idea. Teacher can ask students to prepare short answer or multiple choice questions
on the material that will be on an exam and bring them to the review class. Then, determine
which students have brought questions and distribute them across the groups.
Great veteran teachers can provide tremendous insight and encouragement to an inexperienced or
struggling teacher. Our headmaster must develop veteran teachers who want to share best
practices with other teachers. They must also build a trusting, encouraging atmosphere in which
their entire faculty communicates, collaborates, and shares with each other. Headmaster must
make mentor connections in which both sides have similar personalities or the connection may
be counterproductive. A solid mentor connection can be a positive, learning venture for both the
mentor and the mentee. These interactions are most effective when they are daily and ongoing.

The association does not have enough funds (money) to carry out its projects for the
school. Our school can organize school fair to rise fund. Organizing a successful School Fair
takes a lot of planning. The key to success is a well-organized, enthusiastic and motivated
committee. It will be necessary to organize regular meetings, initially monthly, and then
fortnightly and weekly as the day grows closer. Initial committee meetings should review the
aims and objectives of the activity. If possible, draw on the previous years committees for
advice and experience. Encourage as many people as possible to join, or become a friend of the
committee.
We then need to appoint co-ordinators for each stall and activity. These co-ordinators may
appoint their own sub-committee, made up of parents and friends willing to assist. The coordinator will need to organise helpers on the day, and organise a roster of those volunteers. It
will also be their responsibility to source items for the stall. Appointing these coordinators takes
the pressure off the key Fair committee members. Consider making each year group within the
school responsible for a particular stall.Our school has a large ethnic mix, approach those groups
to provide food or craft stalls based on their country of origin.

The most important starting point is a date. Consult with other schools or groups in our area who
might be holding similar events. We does not want our date to conflict with another local school
function. We will also need to ensure that your school is not involved in any major sporting
events away from the school on that date. Check also that we dont coincide with such sporting
events as grand finals.
Coins and money bags are available from our bank. It may even be possible for a coin
counting machine to be made available. Make floats available for stall holders prior to the fair
commencing. Keep detailed records of the amounts given. Supply stall holders with bags for
collecting money during the day. People collecting money should wear a badge to identify
themselves to stall holders. Ensure that stall holders know the correct procedure for handing over
money during the day. Ensure that adequate change remains on the stall. Ensure we have calico
bags made in advance for each stall. Make and clearly name two for each stall cash collectors
need to know what stall money came from so it can be correctly recorded.

III. Conclusion
In conclusion, I am determined that this year our school is regarded as a landmark for the best
school in Sandakan. My belief, my vision is that we need to continue to critically analyse what
we deliver in and out of the classroom. In equal measure, as a school, we have to continue to be
comfortable in our skin. And what I mean, is that we need to recognise and value what we have
and not worry about the things that do not have.
Consider also the essential elements care, challenge, accountability and encouragement.
The building blocks that make our small school stand out. The qualities that we should value
against all others.
SK Tambisan has the capability and the opportunity of going from strength to strength.
With your commitment and support, I look forward to the exciting journey as we will organised
our school fair.
Additionally, I would like to thank the teaching and support staff who share a common
belief that the School will continue to develop, adapt and succeed in the years ahead. And I am
equally grateful for the support I have had from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).
I believe that for the present generation of SK Tambisan staff, the ability to communicate
successfully, consider the needs of others and show drive and initiative highlights the very best
schools. A good school should make the most of its resources and expertise. It should provide
disciplined education, structure and prepare students for the challenges of the years ahead. SK
Tambisan pupils should leave as mature, sensitive individuals with an excellent academic
grounding, a high level of self-discipline and a good result particularly in Mathematics, Science
and the English Language.

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Bryk, A., Sebring, P., Allensworth, E., Luppescu, S., & Easton, J. (2010). Organizing schools for
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