The MIC will recommend to the cabinet that the teaching of Mathematics and Science be reverted to Tamil in line with the wishes and aspirations of Tamil school headmasters and parents, said party president S Samy Vellu today.

"I will direct Human Resources Minister, Dr S Subramaniam to forward our decision," he told reporters after chairing the MIC Central Working Committee meeting.

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 05 Samy Vellu said although he believed that it was good for the students, especially in Tamil schools to master the English language, "but I have to listen and heed the views and wishes of the Tamil school headmasters and parents".

"They have a right to make their own decision. We can't impose on them our views. It is a matter that concerns their children and students. As such, we will abide to their request." he said.

He said the headmasters unanimously endorsed the teaching of Mathematics and Science in Tamil at a discussion organized by the MIC recently.

Samy Vellu said Tamil school students could pick up English when they enter secondary schools.

Last Wednesday, Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong said that he would submit a report on the feedback received from several organisations, including political parties on the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English during a roundtable discussion organised by his ministry to Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to be forwarded to the cabinet for a decision.

It was reported that in Tamil vernacular schools, 62.76 percent of pupils answered in English for Science and 89.11 percent for Maths in the recent Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR).

Lack of promotions

On another matter, Samy Vellu said bureaucratic apathy has hampered the target of achieving a higher percentage of Indian participation in the civil service from the present 3.3 percent.

"How long is it going to take before we achieve the target of at least seven percent Indians in the civil service as announced by the Prime Minister.

"There are forces outside there who we suspect are working against the directive of the prime minister," he said, adding that he would bring up the "slow implementation of the directive" with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi again soon.

Samy Vellu also said there were not enough promotional opportunities for Indians in the civil service despite them having the educational background and seniority.

He also slammed certain quarters for questioning his request for the government to do more for the Indians, saying "they don't understand what is happening on the ground".

The MIC supreme also called on the government to set aside few government infrastructure projects for small contractors through the selected tendering system.