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SJKT Ladang Lauderdale

April 17th, 2009

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Update from Dr Sreedharan who is leading the initiative on SJKT Ladang Lauderdale:

SRJK(T)LADANG LAUDERDALE , MATANG – Latest update .

It has been about 2 weeks since MI Club members visited the SRJK(T) LADANG LAUDERDALE,MATANG . On the 14^th April , I visited the school again to see the progress taking place in the school .

Since our last visit , both myself and the Headmaster have been constantly in touch and I was updated on the progress taking place . I called up one of the Berkat share holders who own the estate and explained about the school and the urgent need for expansion and requested for permission to build another 2 classrooms . Mr. Anwar , one of the share holder called me back one week later to inform that they have no objection to our request but for formality asked us to submit a letter so that the matter can be brought up in their board meeting . A letter was send to Mr.Jayaraman who is in charge of this matter . On the 9^th April the estate tractors was send to clear the land proposed for the building and about 7 palm oil trees were uprooted.

The same time , we also received a quotation from JKR which estimated the cost of the building including wiring to be about RM 58,000 plus . The quotation was a little higher then we had expected . We decided to look for other contractors and to get their quotations .

The PPD then informed the Headmaster that Rm 20,000 has been allocated for the school as part of “ Naik Taraf “ . This money is for repairs ,painting and to purchase electrical stuffs . Initially when we told the PPD officer that we would like to use this funds for the building of 2 new classrooms , they did not approve . After speaking to the higher officer and explaining the urgent need , he agreed to approve . They sent their contractor to asses and estimate the cost . We had the plans drawn and the contractor estimated the cost will be about more than RM30 ,000 . We asked for estimation without wiring or painting . He quoted the estimation to about Rm22,000 . After negotiation he agreed to get it done at Rm20,000 .

I have already got a friend who agreed to do the wiring at free of cost . The painting , I suggested once the building is up , we will get some volunteers on a Sunday and together with the students get the painting done . It will make everyone feel that they had done something for the school . I am hoping MI club members will be there to participate since it is their effort and their kindness which had helped the school to get two new classrooms .

Four weeks ago MIC President Dato Samy Vellu had made surprise visit to the school and promised the school RM400,000 K for the purpose of the new building . He had promised to follow up and get the new building up as soon as possible . This was prior to the Bukit Gantang election . This school falls in Bukit Gantang district . As usual Politicians make many promises before election and forget about it after the election especially when they get defeated . Anyway I found out that the Rm 400,000 K was already allocated to the school as part of the Governments stimulus package of Rm50 million . As part of the package this school was to receive Rm400,000 K . Our kind President of MIC who already knew about this announced the amount making it look like MIC is giving . I feel so disgusted and could not find the right words to describe my feelings . I sincerely request to members of MIC , if you can’t do anything , please stop delivering false promises to help the poor people . Let people who are really sincere do the needful .

We also discussed other matters , the headmaster was busy as there is going to be a Tamil Carnival in Perak state where all Tamil schools in Perak will be Participating in Essay , poetry , story telling and other competitions . They were busy deciding which students will participate in which competition and looking at the results of the students , most of them have high marks and the HM did not want to disappoint them . He had to choose the right competition for each of them based on their talent .

I also went thru the attendance record of the students and the performance of each students in their exams . The attendance record are maintained daily and monthly and yearly for each students . This year students who have 100% record of attendance will be recognised and awarded .

There were about 10 students who are having transport problem coming to the school . Actually most of the students are from surrounding the estate . One girl from standard 4 , thevadharshini who has other 6 sibblings , whose alcoholic father had deserted them , was about to drop out of the school . Her mother had send the elder brother to a welfare home . quick intervention from the Headmaster managed to keep her in school . Everyday a teacher picks the girl up and drives her to the school and drops her back on the way home . I went through Thevadharshini’s records and she has scored nothing less then 90% in most of the subjects . Throughout the 4 years , she has done well in the school .

The Headmaster had asked for 10 bicycles but he was able to get one . Since Thevadharshini needed it the most , the bicycle was given to her .

We discussed about the financial matters . I informed the Headmaster that Mr.Poobalan had banked in Rm500.00 on behalf of UMIC . All together the total amount that we have collected is about Rm5,000.00 . We decided for time being to put the money in a fixed deposit and to use it later for the building . I was shown other things that was donated through MI club. There was few book cabinets , file cabinets , classroom tables , chairs and tables and benches for the canteen . I think it was Mr.Balu ( I am sorry if I got it wrong . There were a long list of names ) who had donated all these things . Mr. Sugu had donated some revision books and it was distributed to all the classrooms.

At 12.30 pm , I left the headmaster to attend to his urgent work . 4 hours of discussion was a quite a long one . I went around the classrooms to take some photographs for you to see how cramped up the classroom was . One class was being held in the canteen . The teachers do not have their own tables since there was not enough space . They share the tables with the students .

We hope to have a fundraiser to raise more funds for the school . We also understand that the standard of the school must improve and maintain . This will further encourage more parents to send their children to this school .

We hope the project of the classroom building will start by May and hope to finish by end of June . this will help to reduce congestion and hope helps the exam going students to concentrate better in their class .

Weekly twice , these children , plus other students have tuitions after school . The HM has arranged for a small meal for those who are unable to go home for lunch .

The HM monitors the progress of all the students and those who are not doing well , their parents are called in for counselling and when they fail to turn up , the HM himself pays them a visit .

Every detail of each children is maintained as a record which includes their financial status and other personal details .

We are really hoping to improve this school and bring it to another level . Even the teachers now feel a little confident with our involvement and with the progress taking place , they believe changes will take place and they too feel motivated .

Dr.Sreedharan PHF,MBBS,FAGE

Photos:

Land cleared for the new building.

This is the school . Half of the school is divided to classrooms . The other half is computer room . Office and the Headmasters room. The portion you see the wall painting is the office and the other portion is the classrooms.

This is the whole school . Classes divided with boards. Make shift according to the size of the classes

This is the classrooms

This is another classroom . The tables and the chairs are new . Courtesy of a member of MI club who generously donated these items.

Classes conducted in the school canteen . This only happens in Tamil Schools . Behind the teacher is a set of new tables and benches . Donated by one of the MI Club member

office

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Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

Tags: Funds SJKT Ladang Lauderdale Tamil school

RM80 million given to Tamil schools

April 12th, 2009

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I’m still confused over the allocation given to Tamil schools. No reply from Dr S Subra after I emailed him. Anyway, since everyone saying its RM130 million, so be it. I guess the second stimulus package allocation (RM300 million) is not equally divided.

The Sun provided following breakdown of the allocation released so far:

RM80 million, of which RM50 million comes from the first stimulus package and the rest from the Ministry of Finance allocation, was distributed by PM Najib as follows for 374 Tamil schools from eight states and Kuala Lumpur:

[I calculated the average per school for reference]
> Johor: 56 schools to get RM8.65 mil [ RM154k/school]

> Kedah: 49 schools (RM12.2 mil) [RM248.9k]

> Malacca: 13 schools (RM2.66 mil) [204.6k]

> Negeri Sembilan: 47 schools (RM1 mill) [21.3k]

> Pahang: 26 schools (RM5.28 mil) [203k]

> Perak: 85 schools (RM13.2 mil) [155.3k]

> Penang: 22 school (RM5.9 mil) [268k]

> Selangor: 67 schools (RM25.16 mil) [375.5k]

> Kuala Lumpur: 9 schools (RM5.86 mil) [651.1k]

If you total up the amount, its RM 79.91 million.

According to ex-Education Minister Hishamuddin, the money will be disbursed through the Public Works Department (PWD) as it is the most effective method, since not all schools have board of governors. All projects must be completed by the end of the year.

“We want to do it in the quickest way possible and the PWD has the necessary expertise,” he said after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak presented the allocation to Tamil school representatives from several states at the ministry.

“But if the boards of the Tamil schools are ready next time, then by all means we can go through them.”

In an immediate response, Tamil School Headmasters Association general secretary M.S. Muthiah said he was thankful for the allocation.

“Many of the schools are in rural areas so the allocation will help improve the conditions there,” he said.

Perhaps MIC wants back Work Ministry so that it could monitor the usage of the funds properly and to avoid unnecessary leakages.

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Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

Tags: Education Funds MIC Tamil school

countdown to Bukit Selambau 1

April 1st, 2009

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I wonder why the Pakatan coalition need to talk about on-going case like the Mongolian lady murder in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections. They need not be reminded that they are/were the ruling government in Kedah and Perak (up to February this year). So, they should produce their “report card” – What work has been done in last 11 months in the areas and state. List out all the success stories and all the work in progress, and the future plans. The voters can compare the report card of both coalitions and then evaluate the candidates. That would be mature politics for me. Not the name-callings, cheap instant noodle projects, and melodramatic action.

In the last two days, two Tamil schools received their funds as promised in the second stimulus package – one presented by Muhiyiddin (SJKT Sungai Tukang) and the other by Hishamuddin (SJKT Ladang Sungai Getah, RM210,000). While we won’t know if these two schools were “recent” additions to the list, its a good publicity move by BN. Regardless of voters’ choice, two schools have got funds for renovation and repair works. Ganesan knows there’s 7 more Tamil schools left. How nice if these schools (and also all other schools – religious, secondary, missionary – in dire need of repairs) get some funds.

If PR wins, Indians will have an EXCO seat. If BN wins, Indians may get more funding via federal government. Its a win-win situation on paper, because the BN fellow may not be more than a figurehead while the PR fellow will be a lone ranger in PAS-dominated. So, it may be a lose-lose situation in reality. So, how about the independents? Can they offer something new? They win – no EXCO post. They may join PPP/MIC/Gerakan and try get some leftovers from federal government.

I’m worried when one of the indepedents – Jayagopal (suspended PKR member?) said the following:

He said he was using his Employees Provident Fund savings and money set aside for his children’s education to finance his campaign.

That’s a big risk. If he loses, big problem. If he wins, would the financial strain impact future decision making? It will be a big temptation to make some side money to compensate the campaign cost. I’m not only referring to Jayagopal, but all the independent candidates. They’ve spent 8K for deposit. Let’s put a modest RM10k for the election campaign. If they lose big, RM18k gone down the drain – in the current economy, its going to be a big blow.

Last 50 years record of BN ruling Bukit Selambau may be used as a yardstick to evaluate current BN promises. Pain of 50 years is more than pain of 11 months of “failures” and “lost promises”. So, on that count, BN has a problem.

To counter that, PKR division leader for Jerai, Kalaivanar, resigned from the party, calling Anwar a “pharaoh”. He has about 500-strong supporters and according to radio news today, it seems he told Nanban reporter that his group will support BN. So, few hundred votes in the bag for BN. Kalai, who has few court cases related to cheating over his head, claimed that PKR (specifically Anwar) did not take into consideration the local Indians suggestions.

With the change of UMNO’s leadership, and possible the cabinet overhaul, BN is promising change. So do all the candidates. How would the voters judge? Can they throw aside past non-performances?

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Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

Tags: BN Education Elections Kedah PKR Tamil school

repeat call for religious education in tamil school

March 23rd, 2009

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If those people who are familiar with MIC care to recall proposals/memorandums and resolutions made in the last 20 years, they’ll find that nothing much has changed. One can, to a certain extent, understand that because even the president has been around for 30 odd years. One can’t expect miracles.

Never mind that only last September this topic cropped up. I guess many of the round-table discussions, seminars, meetings, getaways, committees in the last decade or so would have suggested this idea in one way or another. Maybe they feel its not worth the time to dig back the past research, reports, studies etc., so the solution is to conduct yet another research and submit a memorandum. Where have we heard these lines before? 🙂

So, here we go again. MIC Youth has sent “a letter” to Education Minister. The leader, Mohan said that they have to start somewhere. I think he meant re-start because most likely next year this idea will come up again.

The argument is simple. Having other religions being taught will make it look like its on par or same pedestal with the religion that is official religion of the federation. For those people, their religion must be the first and the only one. The rest is sidelined, because it says so in the constitution. Liberal (one-sided) interpretation is made on the status of religion of federation, thus we have discrimination (or in better words, less emphasis) on other religions. As long as “others” can practice their religion in limited conditions, due to their tolerance and good heart, the “others” should be eternally thankful and not question at all.

Come on, when even temple height can’t be taller than their mosque height, you want to bring Hinduism to school? Even if the Tamil school got one muslim student, there will be a religious teacher assigned for him/her. That is the extent of expenses and power of the liberal interpretation of “religion of federation”.

Try suggesting a inter-faith committee, or department of non-muslim religious affairs. Try asking for tax exemption for donations related to religion or to tamil schools. Try asking for 60/40 budget for religious purposes.

We can’t argue with these people who are insecure, depend on outdated laws, and who need to resort to threats/violence. Just look at the PERKASA meeting last weekend. We have a 1/4 Indian Muslim fighting for Malay rights and yet the message is clear – “Keep quiet or else”.

We don’t have the quality and qualified people to teach Hinduism. We don’t have enough classrooms to even run proper classes. We don’t have proper facilities in schools.

All the above sounds very pessimistic, but that’s what I feel. Deep inside, I wish the idea will succeed, but knowing the reality, its just wishful thinking.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth has urged the Government to implement religious education in Tamil schools as a measure to overcome social ills in the Indian community.

MIC Youth coordinator T. Mohan said religious education would help steer youths away from damaging activities.

“It is saddening to see reports of Indians being involved in gangsterism and violent crimes in the newspapers of late. We believe these youths had not been given any religious education,” he told reporters after chairing the national council meeting here Monday.

Mohan said the wing had already submitted a letter to Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein requesting religious education be introduced in Tamil schools.

“We are undertaking some research and will submit a memorandum to the ministry within four months,” he said.

Mohan said the results would not be seen overnight but he was sure of positive results within five years.

“We have to start somewhere to ensure that there is a future for our generation in the country,” he said.

Mohan said the wing would also have discussions with Indian-based non-governmental organisations to find ways of reducing the incidence of crime within the Indian community.

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Posted in Indian, Religion, Tamil-Schools

Tags: Education Hinduism MIC Mohan Tamil school

same old story on Tamil schools

March 20th, 2009

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I think the community is getting bored with the excuses given by the concerned parties. In tamil we say “arache mave arachikitte” (grinding flour which has been ground already).

We know that nearly 2/3 of schools are in private land. Many of them are in GLC land. How difficult is it for these companies to exhibit some CSR and donate a piece of land to the school? Even if we talk about one school in a year, in the last 10 years, a plantation firm would have helped 10 schools. Multiply that by 3 companies = 30 schools converted to fully-aided in 10 years. That would have been something proud. But, in reality, how many schools were converted to fully-aided status in last 10 years? What is the effort done by our “guardian of tamil schools”? What is the effort of the relevant ministries, taskforces, committees, leaders, foundations etc? We have so many committees and leaders talking. But no output. Only “policies”, “principle agreements” and other sweet words that causes “mind” diabetes.

I think the next election manifesto of party that has a measurable pledge – To convert 50 Tamil schools to fully-aided in 5 years” should get the community support. No one is interested in catchy words, ideals, abstract promises, and nice-to-hear pledges. What we want is quantifiable/measurable statements.

To be fair to Vallikannu, he is just an employee reading out a speech. I’m sure if he was a millionaire, he would have given a hundred thousand ringgit at least to buy land for some Tamil school.

Those concerned with tamil schools should initiate dialogues with land owners and PPD to facilitate smooth transfer of land. The relevant departments should also cooperate and not put up hurdles to discourage such efforts.

THE delay in converting partly-aided Tamil schools into fully-aided ones is due to the schools being located on private land, reported Tamil Nesan.

Selangor Tamil school coordinator R. Vallikannan was quoted as saying that the government had imposed a condition that the land must be registered in the name of the school before it can become a fully-aided school.

He said some school managements and Parent-Teacher Associations were not aware who owned the school land.

Vallikannan added that the school management must get the necessary forms from the district education department and submit them with the necessary particulars to enable the department to take the steps to transfer the land to the school.

In Selangor, he said, only one Tamil school had managed to transfer the land to its name.