Eight NGOs will come together at a symposium to address the lack of emphasis on mother-tongue education in the Education Blueprint 2013-2025, and formulate solutions.

Along list of prominent researchers, academics and researchers will also be present at the event on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

They include Lim Lian Geok Cultural and Development Centre head Toh Kin Woon, PAS research bureau head Dzulkefly Ahmad, Tamil Foundation Malaysia adviser K Arumugam and Kadazandusun Language Foundation chief executive Rita Lasimbang.

NONE Ho Yock Lin (right) , speaking for the organisers, said participants are encouraged to help come up with ways to influence government policy with regard to mother-tongue education, and that good recommendations will be submitted to the government.

"We also hope to engage the government and influence it into amend the blueprint or the education policy," she said when contacted.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, representatives of the NGOs noted that the blueprint focuses only on the learning and mastering of English and Bahasa Malalysia, and that this does not promote cultural diversity.

"Mother-tongue education teaches people to appreciate, understand, respect and accept one another’s culture," said Ho.

Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and ministry director-general Abdul Ghafar Mahmud have both declined invitations to speak at the event, she said.

With the theme 'Mother-tongue Education In Nation Building: Challenges under the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2015', the symposium will be held at the MCPA Theatre Hall.

The organisers are the Tamil Foundation Malaysia; Lim Lian Geok Cultural and Development Centre; KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall; Universiti Malaya Faculty of Languages and Linguistics; Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia; Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat; Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan; and Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia-Mother-tongue Education Committee.