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How much do Tamil Schools get under second stimulus package?

March 12th, 2009
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I’m a bit confused. Earlier, it was mentioned that RM300mil has been allocated for religious, Chinese, Tamil and mission schools in the second stimulus package. This is in addition to the RM200 million announced in first stimulus package. I read DPM Najib’s speech in the Star and its verified under point 37:

Improving School Facilities 37. To further strengthen human capital development, the Government will provide a more conducive learning environment. For this, an allocation of RM1.95 billion is provided to build and improve facilities in 752 schools, particularly in rural areas as well as Sabah and Sarawak. A sum of RM300 million from this allocation will be used to improve facilities in government-aided religious schools, national-type Chinese and Tamil schools as well as mission schools.

I thought the RM300 million will be divided equally (as was in the case of the RM200 million earlier) among the four types of schools. So each type will get RM75 million. Thus, you can imagine my surprise when Dr S Subramaniam said “the additional RM50mil allocated for Tamil schools by the Government under the second economic stimulus package will be used to rebuild 40 schools.”

So, looks like Tamil schools did not get an equal share, or is it a miscommunication by The Star?

He also added mentioned that RM30mil was approved by the Finance Ministry before the March 8 general election, and the total funding now is RM130 million. RM80 million has been disbursed through the PWD to rebuild more than 60 Tamil schools.

NOTE: I emailed Dr S Subra for clarification, but no reply received.

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Extra RM300 million for schools

March 11th, 2009
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Among the allocation mentioned in the second stimulus packages, this did not stand out. Anyway, its good news because it means more allocation for Tamil schools. If the RM300 million is equally divided, Tamil schools will get RM75 million over two year. Add with earlier RM50 million, thats  RM125 million for 2009-2010.

The RM300mil for religious, Chinese, Tamil and mission schools showed the Government’s commitment to all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, he said.

“This allocation is in addition to the RM200mil announced in the first stimulus package,” he said.

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SJKT Ladang Acob suffers from pollution

February 12th, 2009
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From the Star:

PUPILS and teachers from Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Ladang Acob in Kapar are frequently distracted due to the dust and noise pollution.

Heavy vehicles transporting oil palm out of the estate pass the school and cause noise and dust pollution.

The 170 pupils and 15 teachers are also exposed to the stench from the garbage trucks that use Jalan Acob en route to a dumpsite in Bukit Kerayong.

The school’s Parent-Teacher Association chairman S. Sooriyan said the school also experienced vibrations due to the heavy vehicles plying the inner road and Jalan Acob.

He said the school was located in an awkward position as it was between Jalan Acob and the road that led to the estate.

“We have excavators and trucks passing in front of the school’s entrance while the garbage trucks go along Jalan Acob which is situated by the side of the school,” he said

Sooriyan said the situation was affecting the concentration of both the teachers and the pupils.

He said the furniture including tables and chairs in the classrooms were always dusty.

“The environment is not good but we have no choice as this is the only Tamil school in the area,

“We hope something can be done soon to improve the situation or else the school should be relocated to a new site,” he said

Sooriyan added that the school was one of the oldest Tamil schools in Selangor as it was more than 80 years old.

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Book on plight of Tamil schools launched

February 9th, 2009
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There were emails flying around on the book written by M.Varatharajoo. He launched the book recently. I wonder if the contents are not so true, as some quarters claim that Tamil schools are doing well and are well taken care off. Perhaps those quarters can sue the author?

ALL PRIMARY school pupils should learn their mother tongue first before they move on to their secondary school education, Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said.

“Learning your mother tongue is a basic right of every citizen.

“Most Indians and Chinese in Malaysia have always emphasised the importance of learning one’s mother tongue hence the mushrooming of many vernacular schools throughout the country,” Siti Mariah said after launching a book by Tamil writer M. Varatharajoo at the MBSA Hall in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, recently.

For the community: Varatharajoo with his book.

Varatharajoo’s book entitled Vanjikappadum Malaysia Tamil Kalvi Poraadum Makkal is based on the problems faced by the Tamil primary schools in the country.

Siti Mariah said the book showed the frustration of the author on the condition of Tamil schools in the country and the people who had abused their power forsaking the well-being of the children and the Indian community.

“The author spent five years doing research on Tamil schools throughout Negri Sembilan, Johor and Perak.

“I hope someone would sponsor this book to be published in Malay, Chinese and English languages so it can reach out to all,” Siti Mariah said.

Sri Muda assemblyman Shuhaimi Shafiei, who was present at the launch, said the Indian community had been suffering in silence for years with regard to Tamil schools.

Thanks for your support: Varatharajoo (centre) giving a copy of his book to Shuhaimi (right) while Siti looks on.

In the book, Varatharajoo talks about the first Tamil school which was the Methodist Tamil School in Penang in 1903.

He points out that there were 999 Tamil schools in 1957 and the number has now dwindled to 523 with 150 of these schools having fewer than 50 pupils.

“There are also alleged cases of headmasters taking money allocated for poor pupils.

“At the end of last year, there were 105,618 pupils in 523 Tamil schools in the country, with most of them studying in buildings that are in deplorable condition,’’ Varatharajoo, who is an author of five books, said.

He said Tamil schools were faced with various problems such as termite infestation, lack of funds for chairs and tables and some even not having enough classrooms.

The 304-page-book is priced at RM25 a copy.

Those who want to get a copy can write to PO Box No 7424, 40670 Shah Alam, Selangor, or email at varatharajoo@gmail.com

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RM350 million for government aided schools under 9MP

January 14th, 2009
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  • 100 million from initial 9th Malaysian Plan (9MP)
  • 50 million under 9MP mid-term review
  • 200 million under economic stimulus package announced by DPM Najib.

According to Star, t0morrow, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will officially present the RM200mil allocation under the stimulus package at a ceremony in SJKC Chee Wen in Subang Jaya.he said.

The amount will be equally divided between four types of government aided schools — mission, religious, Chinese and Tamil.

Now, its not clear if the amount to be divided equally is RM200 million or the total amount. As far I know, its the Rm200 million only. But let’s take the whole amount. Rm350 million/4 types/373 (or 322) school = Rm234,584.45 (or RM271,739.13)per school for 5 years. That’s Rm46,916.89 (or RM54,347.82) per school per year. Yup, its just average calculation, so it gives us a rough idea of the size of the allocation. If the amount was RM200 million, it would be  RM26,809.65 (0r RM31,055.90) per school per year. Again, this is based on the figures of 373 and 322 schools. I assume the funds is for repairs, infrastructure, and purchase of things – activities that wil spur the local economy via tender for Class F contractors and supplies providers.

Its indeed a great news on paper. A news that’s been repeated since end of last year  when Najib took over Finance Ministry. And tomorrow the allocations will be handed over (to Education Ministry?).

More interesting questions would be the listing of allocation for last 5 Malaysian Plans and the long term (20 years?) road map (if such thing exists) . No point having a one-off allocation but after 2010, its back to square one.

Addendum: forgot to add something. Federal allocation for Chinese schools will be channeled directly via the school’s board of directors, according to MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.

“By giving the money directly to the schools’ board of directors, it will make it easier and faster for them to carry out programmes for the students.

“This way, they can better monitor how the money is used and choose their own contractors for their projects. I hope this will foster greater cooperation between the Government and the school boards,” he said, adding that this was the Government’s way of recognising the importance of Chinese education.

Tamil schools don’t have board of directors (at least those that I know of).

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