The abolition of PPSMI (teaching and learning science and mathematics in English) will benefit students whose first language - language that is learned as a baby - is not English because studies have shown children learn better if the language of instruction is their first language.

Furthermore, the United Nations, in its various declarations and conventions, has continually affirmed the universal right to an education where the language of instruction is the first language.

This fundamental right of students whose first language is Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin or Tamil is thus respected by abolishing PPSMI.

However, the abolition of PPSMI will in turn be unfair to students whose first language is English.

Malaysian students whose first language is English are growing in number from diverse ethnic backgrounds. They include Chinese, Indians and Malays.

These students are already discriminated against in education on the basis of language because there are no English-medium national-type schools to accommodate them.

This discrimination on the basis of language contravenes the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

The abolition of PPSMI will further discriminate these students on the same grounds.

They have the right to continue learning science and mathematics in English and also the right to learn all other subjects in English, their first language.

Thus, PPSMI must at least be retained as an option for these students so that they can learn science and mathematics better, like their peers who learn the two subjects in their own first language - Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin or Tamil (Of course, students whose first language is not English have the right to choose the PPSMI option).

And if we were to have English-medium national-type schools, it would be justice indeed.

To vote for PPSMI as an option, please go to www.pagemalaysia.org/news.php .

Parents can vote for the establishment of English-medium national-type schools at www.surveymonkey.com/s/NKRJVDH and join PENS (Parents for English-medium National-type Schools) at www.facebook.com/groups/PENSmember/ to support the campaign.

Lan Boon Leong is an Associate Professor at Monash University Sunway Campus.