Barisan Nasional today unanimously decided that English will be used to teach Science and Mathematics in all primary and secondary schools beginning next year.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is the BN chairperson, said the controversial policy will proceed as planned.

"The decision was made with 100 percent consensus," he told a packed press conference after chairing a three-hour supreme council meeting involving all 14 BN partners at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"All have agreed that English will be taught directly from primary right up to secondary level to improve the proficiency of the language," he added.

The premier stressed that the language switch will involve both national and vernacular schools.