Tamil schools will not benefit from the Dual Language Programme, which will be trialed in 49 of such schools next year, Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy said.

He said the DLP would thwart improvements made in the UPSR results in Tamil schools and reduce hours of teaching in the Tamil language.

"Besides, most Tamil school students are from lower-income families who are not fluent in English," he said.

The Dual Language Programme allows parents to opt for English instruction for Science and Mathematics.

Schools selected for DLP will have teachers who are trained to teach in both English and either Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese or Tamil, depending on the school.

Language activists, however, see it as a threat to the national and mother tongue language education, accusing it to be a reincarnation of the failed Teaching Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) programme.

Malaysia's performance in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study worsened following the introduction of PPSMI.

Unlike the DLP, PPSMI saw schools nationwide teaching Science and Mathematics in English, causing students in rural areas to struggle.

"PPSMI's failure is a sign that any dual language programme is irrelevant to the national school system," Ramasamy said.

"I urge the Education Ministry to immediately abolish the DLP. The ministry should take more appropriate alternative steps to strengthen proficiency in English among students."

The DLP is also opposed by Chinese education groups, for fear it would undermine Chinese language education.

Some 50 NGOs in Penang also held a protest against the DLP which they said would undermine Tamil education traditions.

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