The Education Ministry today urged Chinese-based Barisan Nasional parties to consider the welfare of Chinese school pupils and teachers before making any proposals regarding the move to teach Science and Mathematics in English.

"These are the things that we have to consider, don't think about your opinions only, have to think generally, including (from the angle of) students and teachers," Deputy Education Minister Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

The deputy minister was reacting to a question on whether the Chinese-based parties' proposal to have these classes after school hours or on Saturdays would affect the welfare of students and teachers.

The four parties MCA, Gerakan, Sarawak United People's Party and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) made the proposal in the hope of retaining the use of mother tongue to teach both the subjects in Chinese primary schools.

The government had decided this year, following a suggestion from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, that Standard One, Form One and Lower Six students in all schools will learn the two subjects in English beginning next year.

The policy, which aimed to arrest the decline of students' proficiency in the English language, met with strong objections from various quarters, especially vernacular education movements.

On Tuesday, Mahathir said the BN supreme council had unanimously agreed to the new system, but added that the Chinese-based parties were given one-week to determine the model of implementation for Chinese primary schools.

Yesterday, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik said the parties had proposed that Chinese primary school pupils learn these subjects in English after school hours or on Saturdays.

However, this was shot down by the Education Ministry director general Abdul Rafie Mahat yesterday, who said that the language switch must be incorporated into the formal learning hours.

Children's future

Commenting on the opportunity given to the parties to seek a suitable model of implementation, Abdul Aziz said: "We respect Chinese schools because they have their own board and they have contributed to the building of schools. But we must also think about our children's future."

"We only have another two months to go (the new academic year begins in January). I know they ( the Chinese-based parties) have basically accepted the language switch since we all know the importance of English. Now it's only the implementation method (that is a problem)," he added.

The government has decided on a five-year transition period which will end in 2007. During this period, students involved in the language switch will be provided with bilingual examination papers for the two subjects.

However, in 2008, students will sit for the subjects in English only.

Cooepration vital

Earlier, the deputy minister said the implementation of the new policy will be delayed in schools which lack electricity and adequate facilities, since teachers have to be aided by computers and LCD projectors.

"Don't force, if that task cannot be fulfilled, the government will not force. Don't force anybody to do what they can't," he said.

He said the delay could take up to a year but stressed that no student will be left behind in the new policy.

"We will give enough time and provide assistance. Tenaga Nasional Berhad is also trying hard to provide electricity to these schools," he said.

The deputy minister also urged teachers in the city to be prepared to help their counterparts in rural areas since cooperation is vital to ensure that the language switch proceeds smoothly.

Over the next week, the Chinese-based parties will meet education experts to decide on the implementation model.