Influential Chinese education groups today urged the four Chinese-based parties in Barisan Nasional to "tell the truth" on how the controversial proposal to teach Mathematics and Science in English will be implemented in Chinese primary schools.

The United Chinese School Teachers Association Malaysia (Jiao Zong) and United Chinese School Committees Association Malaysia (Dong Zong) expressed confusion over the matter after reading contradictory news reports in different languages.

Dong Zong chief executive officer Bock Tai Hee reminded the Chinese-based parties MCA, Gerakan, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) as well as the government that education is a policy issue and not a political bargaining tool.

"Be honest with us. The leaders should not try to cheat the community by making unclear statements. Now the education issue is in a mess," he said when contacted this afternoon.

A price to pay

He said should the Chinese Malaysian community feel cheated on the language switch, the Chinese-based parties may risk losing support in the next national polls.

"They will have to pay a price. I'm sure the community will express how they feel in the next general election," he said.

On Wednesday, a day after the Barisan Nasional supreme council met to finalise its decision on the language switch, English and Malay newspapers quoted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as saying that it will be implemented in all primary schools, including Chinese primary schools.

"They are not exempted. We will find a way for the schools to implement the new policy," the prime minister had said when asked specifically whether Chinese schools were excluded from the new policy.

He also said the implementation in Chinese schools would be subject to slight modifications proposed by the four Chinese-based parties. They have been given a week to present the proposal.

Confusion

But the three major Chinese dailies Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, and China Press reported that Chinese primary schools would be exempted and that the Chinese-based parties will seek to conduct extra classes in English for Maths and Science outside school hours.

Both Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press are owned by MCA after a controversial RM230 million takeover last May.

Yesterday, Sin Chew, which is known to be sympathetic to MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik, also reported that the leader "confirmed" the exemption.

However, Education Minister Musa Mohamed had stressed that the proposal for extra classes could be Ling's "personal opinion" and that the government did not have resources for the extra classes.

Top leaders of the four parties have since met twice on the matter but claimed that nothing was decided. They are scheduled to attend the third meeting this afternoon in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Bock said Dong Zong and Jiao Zong will meet next week to discuss their response should the government decide to proceed with the language switch in Chinese schools.

When asked, he reiterated that the two groups will not accept anything other than retaining mother tongue for the teaching of Maths and Science fully.

Political compromise

On the speculation that the four parties may propose a bilingual system as a solution, Bock said such a system will not benefit students.

More dangerously, he pointed out, "if it comes to that, it is no longer an education matter but a political compromise among the ruling parties".

Both Dong Zong and Jiao Zong had met representatives from more than 10 Malay education and culture groups in early August and sent a memorandum opposing the language switch to Mahathir.

Subsequently, more than 40 Chinese organisations also signed a joint declaration to oppose the language switch as they said it will affect students' performance in the two subjects and alter the characteristics of vernacular schools.