Malay Tamil, Chinese educationists keen to teach science, math in mother tongue

Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), July 9 (ANI): Both Tamil and Chinese educationists have welcomed the Cabinet's decision to revert the teaching of science and mathematics to one's mother tongue in vernacular schools.

Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia) president Dr Yap Sin Tian said the use of English had brought about negative effects on students.

Dr Yap said Dong Zong welcomed the decision to increase the number of hours for the teaching of English but it also hoped that more time would be allocated for Chinese classes.

Jiao Zong (the United Chinese School Teachers Association of Malaysia) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen said Chinese schools were ready to use Chinese for both subjects as early as next year as it had been going bilingual in its teaching thus far.

Malaysian Indian Congress education bureau chairman, Dr. T. Marimuthu, said the decision was good as it reflected the sentiments at roundtable discussions.

"The majority of Tamil school headmasters supported the teaching of mathematics and science in English in 2002 because many scientific terms and reports are in English.

The Star quoted National Tamil Headmasters' Association general-secretary Muthiah Sithambaram, as saying that the decision would not bring things to a standstill. (ANI)