The controversial decision to implement the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English in schools will cost the Malaysian government RM5 billion for the next seven years to ensure that the education policy succeeds.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that the allocation will last until 2008 and most of the sum will be for the training of teachers and to provide launching grant for schools as well as teaching and educational aids including information and communication technology (ICT) facilities.

In presenting the 2003 Budget at the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon, Mahathir said to ensure that the new education policy is implemented effectively, teachers will be supplied with notebook computers, LCD projectors, softwares and other related educational tools.

"For this purpose, a sum of RM978.7 million will be spent this year and in 2003," said the prime minister.

The idea to change the medium of instruction for the two subjects arose in June after Mahathir lamented the low standard of English among Malay Malaysian students. Since then the government has come under fire from various groups and parties, particularly those supporting vernacular education.

Among those who protested were Barisan Alternatif component parties and Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong.

The latter, and the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, had been labeled as "extremist" by Mahathir who warned them "not to play with fire".

Following this, Deputy Home Minister Zainal Abidin Zin said that the Internal Security Act will be evoked against those who try to turn this into racial issue.

Those who protested denied turning the policy into a racial issue, stating that the policy would threaten the use of Bahasa Melayu for teaching and other academic purposes in national schools as well as the use of mother tongue in vernacular primary schools.

Higher education

In his presentation today, Mahathir also announced that an Education Savings Fund will be established to finance higher education where the government will provide a matching grant for every ringgit saved by children from low-income families.

"This is to reduce the burden on parents in meeting future educational expenses of children. An initial amount of RM1 billion will be allocated. I hope this programme will cultivate a savings culture among children," he said.

He said the government will continue to give priority to education with 27 percent of the total Budget being allocated to this sector, but admitted that in spite of substantial allocations for education, the amount appropriated for the Higher Education Loan Fund is still insufficient.

He said for the programme, the government has spent RM4.5 billion on 380,000 students and it requires an additional RM3.5 billion to continue until 2005.

"The government may not be able to continue this programme through the provision of grants. Therefore, a loan programme will be created through financial institutions to provide loans for students," he said, adding that the institutions are required to channel a portion of their loan portfolio for higher education to develop human resources.

For school leavers who could not proceed to higher education, Mahathir said RM408 million is allocated for a skills enhancement programme that is being implemented through the Community Colleges to be built in every Parliamentary constituency.

Deviant beliefs

He also announced that the government will allocate RM850 million to implement single-session schools so that students will have more time not only for academic lessons but also for co-curriculum activities.

In a side comment, Mahathir also condemned any attempt to use schools to indoctrinate young children to be misled by deviant beliefs and become narrow-minded.

"Children receive their early formal education in schools, where character building and inculcation of positive attitudes begin.

"The moulding of knowledgeable, skilled and intelligent rakyat, imbued with values, such as responsibility, tolerance and friendship as well as patriotism and love for the nation, begins from schools," he said.