Every time something good is in progress, somebody has to jump in and make a disaster of the impending progress. It is now just about seven years or so since English was made the medium for science and mathematics in schools. That was a well thought-out policy by our former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad. Everything has been set in place and is running well.

The children are doing well and are coping well. This is definitely a step in the right direction for their further education in the universities whether local or foreign. Now, all of a sudden, some language protagonists (for what hidden agenda I have no idea whatsoever) have started making noise both in public and private and this has shaken our government so badly so much so they have been thrown off balance.

It is at a point of topsy- turvy as far as our children are concerned. It is one thing for today and another for tomorrow. Let me remind Malaysians about what happened many years ago in Malaysia. We had such excellent schools like the La Salle schools and the Convent schools that produced outstanding citizens of all races in this country. These schools excelled themselves, producing the nation's top students both academic as well as all-rounded students up to Form Six.

Nobody could beat the sense of dedication of the teachers of these schools and the sense of pride enjoyed by these students is indeed nostalgia for today. Then, the government of the day found reason to derecognise these schools and decided to abolish and turn them into ‘national type' schools. The golden era of education ended abruptly to the chagrin of many.

Today, that English language being used to teach Science and Mathematics is being debated and the government is being thrashed to smithereens to discontinue this. It beats my intelligence to listen to some of the rationale being espoused by so-called protagonists of their agenda. Below are some of them

Malaysians should be loyal to our national language: Well, what in god's name has loyalty got to do with education? The bottom line is knowledge. If knowledge has to be acquired through education then seek out the knowledge. That knowledge is available from the millions of books all over the world. Most of the best books are available in our own libraries.

Let us not kid ourselves by telling ourselves that these books can be easily translated into Bahasa Malaysia and therefore it should be taught in Bahasa. If translations are done for the sake of translations, then where is the depth of knowledge? Do we have enough Bahasa intellectuals to do perfect translations of professional subjects?

In short, if one wants to seek knowledge in its entirety, then seek them in the English language text books. It is the inherent knowledge that gives you the right intuition, the right intrusion on the subject matter and the ability to develop the right creativity skills on the profession or subject that you have studied. If you fail here, then one would remain as a piece of brick plastered into the cement walls and you can't move an inch further.

From the video recordings shown on the Internet of the recent protest demonstrations in KL against the teaching of mathematics and science in English, it did appear that most of the demonstrators did not appear to be serious-minded students hellbent on acquiring knowledge but rather some disinterested male characters who definitely did not belong to the studious category but more like the Mat Rempits in town causing havoc for residents and their neighbourhoods.

Surely we can't use these chaps as a yardstick for what is best for our younger generation of students who are more interested in bringing pride to themselves and their parents.

If there are people who are hellbent on creating problems for the government, then the solution is simple. Just give them the option of choosing the language of their choice. It can either be in Bahasa or in English. In any event, most teachers do teach science and mathematics with a mixture of English and Bahasa. So it does not make any difference.

With a choice available of either the national language or English, then those wishing to acquire further education - be it in local or foreign universities - it would be smooth-flowing. However, please do not deprive those who wish to seek knowledge or force them to be ostracised due to language maniacs.

Finally, I wish to propose to the government that every trade or job be tied up to a proper certification. This means if one wants to be a bricklayer, then he should be certified and the same goes for food handlers, chefs, masons, electricians, motor mechanics etc. This is how it is done in Australia or in any of the developed nations.

Any student who has no aptitude in studies should be advised accordingly and each should be encouraged to take up certificate courses before heshe is allowed to take up a trade. Let them not take up an education that is going to end in them being unemployable.

My love for the country in inherent and it is not dependent on the knowledge that I seek.