The recent debate regarding the use of English to teach Science and Maths, proposed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to improve English proficiency among Malaysian students, has come full circle with proponents and detractors having their say.

It has resulted in two distinct camps; those against the idea are a motley bunch of (vernacular) educationists while the vocal proponents to date seems to be Mahathir and their regular cast of 'yes-men'.

Let's laud the move for a more proficient use of English within our school system. However, we should be heartened that the problem is not unique to Malaysia alone as it plagues other nations as well. Developing nations are all pushing for greater proficiency of the English language in recognition of its growing importance.

Though the current emphasis to use English has become embroiled in political overtones, let's not shy away from the problem but face it head on. We should be honest about what ails our education system.

Policy makers together with the education ministry have contributed directly towards the marked decline in education within our shores. They have wilfully lowered standards, tweaked numbers and churned out inept graduates into the market.

Mahathir had once condemned these graduates for being ungrateful or choosy about jobs with little regard towards the reality of the problem. We cannot ignore the fact that we will continue to pay a high price for our erratic education policies.

Policy-makers beamed with pride at statistics showing an increase of bumiputra intake at the tertiary level based on the so-called 'merit' system just implemented. They have not realised they can't fool all the people all the time.

Lowering the bar to generate more bumiputra graduates and thus making the politicians and policy-makers look good is a disservice to the country. Little wonder why some people look askance at some of our local doctors.

Zealous nationalistic types once placed much emphasis on the use of the national language. It was made a compulsory subject and an important component in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (Malaysian Certificate of Education). Failure would result in a full certificate being denied.

If the government is serious about wanting Malaysian students to master English, it should make English a compulsory subject just as it did Malay. Teaching geography in English would yield more in terms of vocabulary than the current proposal to teach Maths and Science in English.

Having a good command of English would make our students more dynamic and our country an attractive and viable option for business and education.

But we should also not forget that some of our students who learned Maths and Science in Chinese have gone on to excel in scientific fields.

In essence, we have the method and talent to produce the best minds. One example is the current research breakthrough at the Australian National University (ANU) helmed by Malaysian Dr Ping Koy Lam. I'm certain there are numerous others too that have gone unreported.

We may not have the 'pedigree' prestige of Harvard, Oxford, Monash and other great universities, but let's start somewhere to mend our education system for a brighter future.