As many as 1,214 schools nationwide have opted to implement the Dual Language Programme (DLP) to date, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan.

He said of the total, 394 were rural schools comprising 218 primary schools and 176 secondary schools.

"In urban areas, the DLP has been adopted by 367 primary schools and 453 secondary schools," he said in reply to a question from Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (AMANAH-Kuala Krai) at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The DLP is an extension of the language policy of MBMMBI (Uphold Bahasa Melayu, Strengthen the English Language). Schools that are under DLP will be given the option to have teaching and learning sessions in English, as well as Bahasa Melayu for Mathematics and Science subjects.

Among the criteria for the implementation of the DLP are that schools must have adequate resources such as enough teachers and infrastructure, principals/ headmasters must be willing to implement the DLP besides requests and support from parents.

Replying to a supplementary question from Dr Mohd Hatta, Kamalanathan said that until now 1,204 primary school teachers and 1,588 secondary school teachers were taking online courses for proficiency and effective instructional delivery of the DLP.

-- BERNAMA