May 4 Court Date for Students Challenging Govt on English Policy
J-on
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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Kuala Lumpur, April 20 - The High Court has set May 4 to hear clarifications over a suit filed by four students against the Government challenging its policy to teach Science and Mathematics in English.
High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Aziah Ali set the date in her chambers after meeting Senior Federal Counsel Suzana Atan acting for the Government and chambering student Azhana Mohd Khairuddin, who mentioned the case on behalf of law firm of Mohamed Hanipa & Associates for the students.
The students - Mohammad Syawwaal Mohammad Nizar, Mohammad Fadzil Nor Mohd Rosni, Nur Najihah Muhaimin and Syazaira Arham Yahya Ariff - had on Jan 20, 2006 filed the suit.
Mohammad Syawwaal is a Year Four student in SK Batu Tiga while Mohammad Fadzil and Nur Najihah are Form Three students in SMK Tok Muda Abd Aziz and SMK Seri Perak, respectively. Syazaira Arham is a Form Four student in Madrasah Idrissiah.
The four students, who are all from Perak, filed the suit through their fathers Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Mohd Rosni Abu Bakar, Muhaimin Sulam and Yahya Ariff Kamaruzzaman.
They are seeking to declare two circulars on the execution of the policy dated Nov 27, 2002, unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect.
They are also seeking a declaration from the High Court that the Government had no power and privilege to introduce, enforce and implement the policy stated in the two circulars.
Apart from that, the students also want the court to issue an order to compel the Government to change or restore the policy stated in those two policies according to the provisions of the Federal Constitution and written laws regarding the matter.
In their originating summons, the students claimed that the policy had been enforced without taking into consideration Article 152 of the Federal Constitution and the provisions of laws like the National Language Act 1967 and Education Act 1996. (The Malay language is enshrined as the national language under Article 152 of the Federal Constitution.)
The policy, they added, contradicted the National Education Policy that was based on the National Education Philosophy which, among other things, stressed an education system using the national language as its medium.
Source: The Star Online
