THERE is an increase of those children in state schools who do not come from an English speaking background. One in seven children at primary school in England and one in ten at secondary school speak a language other than English at home.

A research team has concluded that using two or more languages deepens an understanding of mathematical concepts and results in a better overall performance in school.

Bilingual children are able to access key concepts through both languages, giving them an advantage over monolinguals.

Children who speak at least two languages strengthen their identities as learners and boost their cognitive development. Researchers say this finding is of particular importance for second and third generation immigrant children.

In the 60s and 70s, the British education system destroyed the home languages and the new research proved that the policy was wrong and the British education system is guilty of a crime against humanity.

Children who attended mother tongues classes did better in their National Curric-ulum tests. Research suggests that bilingual pupils do better than those with one language.

Among all the migrant children, Muslim children suffer more than others. Bilingual Muslim children need state funded Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim teachers as role models. They need to be well versed in standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity.

IFTIKHAR AHMAD, London School of Islamics, E7.