translation More than 600 groups and over 4,000 individuals who converged in Kajang today urged the government to review the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English at primary schools.

This was the result of a convention organised by Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ) at its headquarters at the satellite town just outside Kuala Lumpur.

The delegates then endorsed a four-point resolution calling for the policy to be reviewed. This will be submitted to the authorities soon.

The resolutions urged the government to (1) intensify English lessons in schools; (2) review the negative effects of teaching Science and Mathematics in English; (3) revert to teaching Science and Mathematics in mother tongue; and (4) urge all political parties and groups to support mother tongue education.

The resolutions were passed unanimously through a show of hands.

Malays worst affected

Representing the local independent media activists (Kami), Ahmad Lutfi Othman told the convention that Malay students are the ones who suffer the most with the language switch due to inherent weaknesses and insufficient planning.

According to research by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 96 percent of 971 Malay students surveyed showed they had no interest in learning the two subjects in English, said Ahmad Lutfi.

He added that the ad hoc policy mooted by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has now clearly shown its weaknesses.

The much-disputed language switch was implemented in Year One in all primary schools in 2003. In Chinese schools, however, a 2-4-3 formula was applied - two periods for English, four for Mathematics and three for Science each week.

To date, there has been no decision on the number of periods for the two subjects when pupils enter Year 4 next year.

United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) president Dr Yap Sin Tian (right) said that the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English has weakened the role of Chinese schools in the vernacular education system.

"If the medium of teaching in primary schools has changed, Chinese schools would risk losing their identity," he said.

Dr Yap also lashed out at political parties that were inconsistent in their stand on the issue.

Act now

Chinese Teachers Association (Jiao Zong) president Ong Chiow Chuen said that the problems caused by the present teaching policy for the two subjects have to be resolved immediately, or the negative effects would be felt by all races in the country.

"Research by experts in the field of education locally and abroad have urge children to use their mother tongue in their learning process, especially in the subject of Science and Mathematics," said Ong.

Other speakers at the even include Group of Concerned Citizen chairperson K Arumugam, Malaysian Tamil Educcation Research and Development Foundation chairperson M Manogaran and Jemaah Islamiah Malaysia Federal Territory chairperson Zahir Hassan.

Politicians were notably absent from the list of speakers. Organisers said the rally and the resolutions were meant to be an apolitical process and reflect the opinions of civil society.