Four students today failed in their attempt to have the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English since 2003 be declared null and void when the Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected their application.

Judge Mohd Zawawi Salleh dismissed with costs their applications after hearing explanations from both sides in chambers.

Lawyer Mohamed Hanipa Maidin represented the four students during the proceeding while senior federal counsel Suzana Atan appeared for the government.

Suzana when met by reporters said the judge decided that the two circulars on the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science (PPSMI) in national schools and national-type (Chinese and Tamil) schools did not contradict Article 152 of the Federal Constitution.

She said Article 152 provided for Bahasa Melayu (Malay language) to be the national language while it remained the medium of instruction in schools.

The four students had filed their applications on Jan 21, 2006.

Mohammad Syawwaal Mohammad Nizar who was then a Year Four pupil, made his application through his father Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, an engineer and the former Perak menteri besar.

The others were Form Three students, Mohammad Fadzil Nor Mohd Rosni and Nur Najihah Muhaimin, and Syazaira Arham Yahya Ariff, a Form Four student, who also made their applications through their fathers.

The four named the Malaysian government as the respondent.

In their writ of summons, the applicants had, among others, claimed that their right to learn the two subjects in the national language had been denied with the implementation of the PPSMI policy.

In regard to this, they asked that the court order the respondent to revert to the teaching of the two subjects in the national language as provided in the Federal Constitution.

They also applied for a declaration that the respondent had no power to implement the PPSMI policy as contained in the circular dated Nov 27, 2002.

Mohamed Hanipa said he would appeal against the court's decision.

- Bernama