Tamil NGOs say no to dual language programme

Firm stand: NGO members, parents, teachers and retired headmasters at the gathering against the implementation of the DLP in Tamil schools.

BUTTERWORTH: About 50 Tamil non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here are against the implementation of the dual language programme (DLP) in Tamil vernacular schools by the Education Ministry.

The NGOs claimed that the DLP would affect the students’ mother tongue education.

Penang Tamil Writers’ Association treasurer K. Krishnasamy, who spoke on behalf of the NGOs, said the implementation of the DLP would reduce the usage of Tamil language in Tamil schools by 40%.

“The UPSR results this year and previous years have shown that children studying in Tamil schools performed very well with the existing system. As such, we do not want the DLP to be implemented in Tamil schools.

“The move will also reduce the number of Tamil language teachers,” Krishnasamy said at the gathering held at Dewan Sri Mariamman in Jalan Mengkuang here on Friday night.

About 200 people comprising members of the Tamil NGOs, parents, teachers and retired Tamil school headmasters were present at the event.

The DLP is expected to be implemented in 841 schools nationwide next year.

Under the programme, participating schools will be given the option to teach Science, Mathematics, Information Technology and Communication, and Design and Technology in English or Bahasa Malaysia.