English or mother-tongue?

I was waiting for my boss in the lobby when I saw today's The Star. One of the titles that grabbed my attention was the one about the debate whether Math and Science should be taught in English or in the mother tongue. The Star reported that before the final roundtable meeting yesterday, seven proposals were put as follows:

>       Stick to Mathematics and Science in English;

>        Revert to Bahasa Malaysia;

>        Let primary schools teach both subjects in the mother tongue and secondary schools use English;

>        Let primary schools decide for themselves;

>        Mathematics and Science be taught in Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue for Years One to Three and in English from Year Four onwards;

>        A combination of mother tongue in the first three years and a choice of mother tongue or English after that; and

>        The two subjects will not be taught in Years One to Three and instead be integrated into other subjects.

I remember that this issue has been debated for years and the concurrences and objections were equally voiced. Both parties have good intentions and both were fairly argued. 

As for me, I do understand the importance of our mother tongue. I do honor my own language and would love if it is being widely used. I also understand that it is a lot easier to learn in your first language. Europian countries such as Germany proved that they are equally good as the English spoken countries especially in automotive engineering. Japan is another close example that honor their own language and is still able to be one of the countries with the most advanced technology. Many uses these two examples in proving that it would be a lot better to use our own language. I can understand that and I would want to do the same too. Just not now.

One of the reasons is that many science books were written in English or other languages. Even if math and science were being taught in the mother tongue language in school, they would still have to study in English when they went to college. Should they have learned the terms before hand, it would lessen the struggle of learning in college. Another issue that might be brought up is that those science books should be translated into mother tongue language. 

While I agree to that, I also know that it cannot be done immediately. Although, that plan should MUST be discussed now and milestone should be constructed. Many issues would be addressed in this process. For instance, Malay language does not have as many verbs. What we have been doing lately are transforming English verbs to Malay by changing one to two letters. Introducing totally new verbs would be quite confusing. However, if it were being used widely, it will settle in gradually. Translating books are not necessarily only from English books. I know that there are many great books in other languages such as French, Dutch, Arab and evenmore. I also know there are many translators out there like my friends Syu (French, Arab, Spanish?), Ainur(French) and Fadhil(German) but these talents are not being utilized. 

What make it more disappointing is that these people that I know and the many more that I do not know are yearned to be given a chance to help. Give them a platform to generate ideas and to contribute. You would be surprised how talented these people are. If Facebook, Friendster, Wiki and Google can be translated into Malay, why not books? Educational books, specifically.

In conclusion, I agree that we would learn/understand better in our mother tongue language but I also agree that the teaching of math and science in English should be continued at least for another three years. I wish that our education ministry would set up a project dedicated to translating informations into mother tongue and another project of studying and doing analysis on Malay language on every level, from its origins to what would be the best way of introducing new verbs. I vote for Ungku Aziz for the advisor. Should this projects are initiated, I would be the first in line.