Kuala Lumpur Chinese Parties Okay Use of English in Schools

KUALA LUMPUR -- Chinese parties in Malaysia's ruling coalition have agreed to plans to teach maths and science in English in secondary schools after initial protests, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday.

In what he described as 'the best compromise' after three months of heated debate, Dr Mahathir said Chinese-language primary schools would teach the two subjects in both English and Mandarin.

'Chinese primary schools will learn the subjects both in English and Chinese but when the students enter secondary schools, it will all be taught in English,' he told reporters after chairing a Supreme Council meeting of the ruling National Front coalition.

The bilingual formula for Chinese primary schools is expected to remain in place for the next four to five years, he said.

The Prime Minister mooted the idea of teaching mathematics and science in English in all schools next year to boost English usage and nurture a pool of skill workers as Malaysia moves towards a knowledge-based economy.

But the plan was rejected by Chinese groups led by the Dong Jiao Zhong, representing all Chinese school boards and teachers' associations, amid suspicion that it will eventually phase out mother-tongue teaching.

The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a lynchpin in the National Front, and other Chinese parties in the coalition, also opposed the plan.

Dr Mahathir said MCA president Ling Liong Sik proposed the new formula for English usage in Chinese schools during the meeting and it was accepted by the coalition.