Tamil schools to be made fully aided?

/* May 30th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 1 comment »
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Well, if this becomes true, it will be a big victory for HINDRAF and makkal sakthi. They managed to achieve something even though MIC will get the name. This possibility would have not been even dreamed of by the community if MIC was still in absolute power. A good kick in the back does work wonders.

Of course, its just an agreement in principle, and Cabinet is yet to see any details yet. The implementation, if it happens, may take decades.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Education Ministry had agreed in principle to convert all partially-aided Tamil schools into fully aided schools, the Tamil Nesan reported.

However, the Cabinet still has to endorse the decision first.

Of the total 524 Tamil schools, 322 were partially aided while the rest were fully aided.

source

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Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

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Criticism of MIC rebranding

/* May 29th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 4 comments »
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MIBA president again comes out with criticism of MIC and Samy Vellu. This is also echoed by KP Samy and an academician from UKM.

I agree that changing logo and uniform is meaningless. Probably some company will be making a tidy profit out of this exercise. Perhaps should follow the money trail as well.

No point changing the packaging when the content is still the same. Probably can deceive some of the people for a short period.

KUALA LUMPUR: Will spending RM500,000 on new uniforms, logos and letterheads really help the MIC to be more appealing to the Indian community? Many have their doubts.  After the party’s heavy losses in the general elections, it has come under intense pressure, particularly for the resignation of its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.  Some have even begun to question the relevance of the party, especially in catering to the new generation. While the rebranding sounds like a good attempt to bring the party back to its glory days, many are questioning the need to spend on non-tangibles.Malaysian Indian Businessmen Association president P. Sivakumar said the RM500,000 allocation for the party’s rebranding exercise could be put to better use. It could be used as a start-up capital for small businesses or for those struggling to pay for their university entrance fees.   Sivakumar said the real issue facing MIC was leadership. “It’s time for the legend to give way to a younger person,” he said, alluding to Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s tenure as party president. He added, however, that Samy Vellu could remain as an adviser. Sivakumar also said the rebranding exercise should include putting to rest the controversy over Maika Holdings shares.

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Cameron Highlands Day 3, buying plants

/* May 29th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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After a tiring day out the day before, we got up a bit late and packed up. Time to leave the cool environment and head back to dusty and hot KL 🙁 Took break fast at the Indian restaurant in Brinchang. Mee goreng was quite tasty, but their tea lacked oomph. Then, time for shopping. Specifically, we wanted to get some potted plants for our house. First stop was along the area after Equatorial Hotel (Not Kea Farms, but the other way, leading towards Simpang Pulai). There are some rows of shops which sell plants and vegetables. We bought some goldcrest plants there.

We had to stop at Raju Hill Strawberry Farm to get some strawberries and also their famous strawberry milkshake (one of the reasons why went to Cameron Highlands in the first place!)

Raju Hill Strawberry Farm

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5122 relief teachers recruited

/* May 29th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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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.

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Posted in Tamil-Schools

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3000 appeals and 151 special cases for PSD scholarship

/* May 29th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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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

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Posted in BornInMalaysia

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