By Aida Aziz
IPOH: The ‘Moh Handei Bahasa’ (Mahabah) module has been developed to address the communication challenges faced by students from Tamil National Type Schools (SJKT) in speaking Malay after they transition to secondary school.
According to Dr. S. Shanmuga Velu, Chairman of the National Integration Aspirations and Development Organization (Nadi), the module targets teachers, particularly heads of the Malay language panel from SJKT across Perak.
He stated that Mahabah was created by Nadi in collaboration with the Perak State Education Department (JPN) and the Ipoh Campus of the Teacher Education Institute (IPG).
“This module was developed by a group of teacher trainees from IPG Ipoh Campus specializing in Malay, with assistance from lecturers and JPN Perak.
“The idea arose when we noticed that many students from Tamil schools faced difficulties in communicating in Malay.
“This issue becomes prominent when they move to secondary school, and this module can serve as a guide for teachers, most of whom are not trained in the Malay language.
“It focuses on oral communication, reading, and writing activities to ensure Tamil students can effectively master Malay when they reach secondary school,” he said.
He said this during the press conference following the launch of the SJKT Malay Language Teaching Module ‘Moh Handei Bahasa’ (Mahabah) at the Ipoh Campus of IPG here yesterday.
Also present to officiate was the Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Perak, Mohamad Hamidi Baharuddin.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Hamidi stated that the module is timely as it is not just a regular teaching resource.
Rather, it serves as a practical and innovative guide to help teachers implement effective and enjoyable teaching and learning (PdP).
“This language needs to be elevated, not just among native speakers, but also with our friends from other communities.
“Language is a bridge of unity, and we must cultivate this effort starting from school.
“Learning a new language is never easy, especially for students in SJKT.
“The challenges increase when Malay language teachers in SJKT lack specialized training or options in this subject,” he said.
He added that the module includes various creative approaches, including game-based activities, interactive communication methods, and engaging assessment strategies.
