He said 33% of 296 schools involved in the DLP were rural schools.

“We do not exclude rural schools,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to an additional question from Shahrum Osman (Lipis-Umno), who asked for the programme to be implemented in the rural areas.

Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (Bukit Katil-PKR) asked whether the DLP was implemented in a secretive manner in schools.

Chong denied this.

Shamsul also asked whether there were specific programmes to enhance Bahasa Malaysia.

Chong said: “The status of Bahasa will not be affected due to the DLP. Official reports are still in Bahasa. Students taking Bahasa at SPM are still required to get a credit.”

To the original question from Imran Hamid (Lumut-PKR), Chong pointed out that the DLP differs from the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English Language policy (PPSMI), which was scrapped after objections from various groups.

“DLP is a plan, not a compulsory policy like PPSMI.”

Under the DLP, students at 300 primary and secondary schools across the country will be given the option of taking Science, Mathematics, Information Technology and Communications, and Design and Technology, in either English or Malay.

The programme is being implemented in schools that meet the requirement, with the support of parents.

Among the conditions imposed before schools can implement the DLP are that they should have adequate resources such as reference materials and infrastructure, and the school heads and teachers must be willing and able to implement the programme.