ince 2002, when English was introduced as a medium for teaching Mathematics and Science in state schools, Malaysian English teachers stood against the Government policy.

The main purpose of this educational law was to improve General English skills as well as English scientific literature comprehension, but the opponents claimed that with this method students learn neither English nor Maths nor Science.

Protesting against the Government policy, opponents marched in a major demonstration in Kuala Lumpur, on 7th March, which was dispersed by police firing tear gas.

According to the President of the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association, Dr. Ganakuraman Subramanian, current Government policy is exhausting both teachers and students, who are asked to learn all the terminology in English.

The Government's compromise is to study further the implementation of English as a medium of teaching and how to make it beneficial and viable.

For the full article, see the EL Gazette, 4th April, 2009, - www.elgazette.com/index.cfm?action=2&more=1&id=165

For more news about activities from the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association, see their web at www.melta.org.my/modules/news/