Author Archive

5122 relief teachers recruited

May 29th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


1077 + 399 + 2980 + 666 = 5122

THE Education Ministry has recruited more than 5,000 untrained relief teachers (GSTT) to overcome a shortage of teachers, particularly in Tamil and Chinese schools nationwide. Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong said these teachers would be placed at various locations in the country including in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.Wee said Sarawak would receive the highest number of GSTT – 1,115 – while Sabah has been allocated 876. Beginning July 1, about 1,077 GSTTs will start teaching at Chinese schools, 399 in Tamil schools, 2,980 at national schools and 666 at special education schools.

“These teachers will be trained during school holidays to ensure that they are equipped with the right teaching skills. Those who have good teaching potential will be absorbed into the profession and after three years, they will be recognised as fully-trained teachers,” said Wee at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

source

3000 appeals and 151 special cases for PSD scholarship

May 29th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


After providing some info about the PSD selection criteria, PSD releases more info on the scholarship issue. Now, we learn that more than 3000 students have appealed.

PSD also confirms that the extra-curricular and interview marks are the ones that ultimately decide the student’s overall result. Problem is, out of 7200++ students, I’m sure many of them would have scored well in both the above criteria. So, what is the deciding factor? We are looking at possibilities that many students getting same amount of marks due to number of criteria being only 4. 70 marks is in the hand. Left with balance 30 to differentiate 7200++ candidates.

Secondly, both NST and Star provide totally opposite breakdown of the 151 fast-track students. NST says 117 were normal malaysians, while 34 were privileged ones. Star reverses the breakdown. Now who are we to believe? Simple number also can be messed up!
Thirdly, PSD is considering providing reasons for rejection. Looks like they are listening to the grouses a little. Perhaps by listing the recipients, they can be more transparent. » Read more: 3000 appeals and 151 special cases for PSD scholarship

Nijhar Quits!

May 29th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Well, its confirmed that after the bust-up during CWC meeting, Nijhar quit MIC. The reason given is making way for new blood, which of course is just politicspeak. If anyone should make way for new blood, its not only Nijhar. He also knows that his time in MIC is up already. He won’t be contesting in next MIC elections, so why be a dummy/puppet. Might as well resign.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar has resigned after a heated row two weeks ago with party chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.  A senior MIC official confirmed that Nijhar, the highest ranking Sikh in the party, had submitted his resignation and that an official announcement would be made today.

Nijhar, when contacted, declined to comment but said the party would make an announcement on the matter.

The former Subang member of parliament’s decision to quit the party comes on the heels of an argument with Samy Vellu during the MIC central working committee meeting on May 15. Reporters waiting outside the room saw a visibly upset Nijhar storming out, slamming the door behind him after shouting: “I never knew you to be such a cruel man. How can you simply sack a man?”  It was later learnt that Nijhar was upset with the expulsion of former Kapar division chairman S. Subramaniam, better known as Jumbo Maniam.

Meanwhile, a source close to Nijhar said his resignation was not linked to the incident but to make way for new blood. “He had to go sooner or later to give way for new blood and decided to call it a day,’ said the source, who did not say why Nijhar had chosen to quit mid-term.

source

Samy unhappy with Murugiah on representing Indian community

May 29th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


If you read the papers recently, PPP’s Murugiah have been featuring more frequently. He announced the Tamil Schools Foundation and complaints bureau in schools. He also launched a Teacher’s camp recently:

Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah said that parents too must attend these seminars to better motivate and instil good moral values and discipline in their children.

Speaking to reporters after opening the three-day Self Development Training camp for Tamil school teachers at the Gadong Tamil school in Morib on Tuesday, he said he would ensure this seminar was organised in all Tamil schools nationwide.

source
However what riled Samy is the claim by Murugiah that “the premier had endorsed him as the community’s representative“. Samy counters by saying that Dr S.Subramaniam is the sole minister representing the Indian community.

Looks like another round of battle between MIC and PPP is in the cards.
By the Samy still using the word “building” instead of “rebuilding” or “relocating” schools, thus giving false impression that more Tamil schools are being built when in fact its still 523 schools. Don’t worry, the people are more smart now. They read carefully. » Read more: Samy unhappy with Murugiah on representing Indian community

PRIMA supports who?

May 29th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Well, never heard of PRIMA before this, but it seems that they represent 115 organisations.  They are asking for quota in civil service, reverting to mothe tongue for science and maths, setting up of non-muslim affairs department, and to free Hindraf 5. Note that they also mentioned that “They no longer want political parties to handle the matter and said that it would speed things up if it is handled within departments” regarding to religious matters.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to set aside at least 35 per cent of its civil service sector for non-Malays. The call was from the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (Prima), an umbrella body for 115 Indian-based organisations.Its president A. Raja Retnam urged the government to ensure fair distribution of jobs for all ranks in the civil service.  “We are not asking for much. If you go to Putrajaya, you can hardly see any Chinese or Indians working in the government departments,” he said yesterday.

Prima also called for Science and Mathematics to be taught in the pupils’ own mother tongue, either Mandarin or Tamil in Chinese and Tamil schools respectively next year. Raja Retnam said the move to teach Mathematics and Science in English was not successful especially for students from rural areas who found it difficult to cope. “Before it was taught in English, the students were doing well but their performance had declined now.   “Moreover, early education is better taught in the pupils’ own language,” he said.

The federation also called for the setting up of a Non-Muslim Affairs Department in the Prime Minister’s Department to handle sensitive issues pertaining to religious matters. They no longer want political parties to handle the matter and said that it would speed things up if it is handled within departments.

Raja Retnam also called on the government to free the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders currently held under the Internal Security Act and to charge them in open court.

source

Now, its interesting to read what Saravanan says after meeting the same group. Here it is reported that the group represents 47 organisations (but the article from NST above says 115). He met with the NGOs for two hours, and summarised that NGOs support BN ( by extension MIC) and still come to MIC to help solve problems – even in opposition held states. » Read more: PRIMA supports who?