Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal that English-medium schools be reintroduced was like a gust of fresh air which we have not felt for a long time. I was so elated to see the light at the end of the tunnel at long last.

However, towards the end of last week, Umno Supreme Council's rejection of the proposal certainly has put a damper to such a hope. The proposal to teach Maths and Science in English instead, will in no way help arrest the decline of the English language.

English is an expressive language; formulas and symbols will not help to improve it. However, let me give 10 reasons why English must be brought back to the mainstream of our education system.

  1. This is the age of information technology when English has become quintessential to tap the vast resources available and for communication. If we have a poor command of the language, what is the purpose then of the MSC?

  • Current system handicaps and confines our students to local institutions. I do not foresee how students can complete an MBA or doctorate programme in more established universities where dissertations are required to be written in English.

  • Many non-Malay parents are sending their children to Singapore for their primary and secondary education, and then onwards to an overseas varsity for their tertiary studies. With the re-introduction of the English-medium schools, this will help to stem the outflow of foreign exchange and perhaps the brain-drain.

  • Arab countries are picking up English with speed to keep pace with global happenings. The phenomenon is also seen in China where everyone is rushing to study English in preparation for WTO.

    • In one Asian report over CNN two years ago, a small village in the remotest part of China was caught up in learning English. Parents formed community service to help their children master the language, even though they themselves do not understand the language at all. The reason: World Trade Organisation. One parent said it was for his son's future job prospects.

    If the Chinese farmers could be filled with such determination, I do not see any reason why we could not adopt a similar vision. While many countries are urgently moving forward, we seem to be either stagnating or moving backwards.

  • Our ministers, leaders, judges and corporate leaders should not forget that they are enjoying the fruits of their English education. Why do they want to deprive future generations from such a benefit?

  • The Vision School controversy may just die a natural death as the English-medium schools would, in its own way, integrate the students and teachers of all races together just like in the old days.

    • We never felt that we were Chinese, Malays or Indians, only Malaysians and partisan to the school we belong to. Today the scene has changed so dramatically that I am even considering my children be sent to a Chinese school (a thought never occurred to me before) where academic discipline is better instilled.

  • With the re-introduction of English-medium schools, it would take the pressure off from the Chinese and Indian schools and stem the migration from the national-type schools.

    • There are 65,000 Malays studying in Chinese schools nationwide and because the government no longer allows Chinese schools to be built, space has become a critical issue. The incessant demand for vernacular schools is one problem the government can do without when it has so many other important national issues to address.

  • Mastering English improves one's employment scope, not only locally but also internationally. Take India, for instance, whose citizens are in demand in the IT and banking field, among others.

    • Many English-speaking Malaysians are also gainfully employed worldwide and are the de facto "ambassadors" of our country. Bahasa Malaysia has dominated our education for almost 30 years now but the question is "where are we today?"

  • In the field of research, a poor command of English is a great handicap. Without research, we can never compete in many fields and achieve our dream of joining the league of developed countries.

  • International trade is mostly conducted in English. Good communication skills in English is vital as is an English-speaking workforce. Students learning English during Maths and Science lessons will only end up like half-baked pies, unable to express themselves well in the language.

    • The change will not be without teething problems. But with total commitment from the government and the public, these can be overcome. To say that we do not have enough teachers, that such a move will contravene the national education policy, etc is nothing but excuses to stop the country from moving forward.