Posts Tagged ‘Education’

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SJKT Tepi Sungai classes in storerooms

December 24th, 2007
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Bravo! Another entry for Book of Records! Maybe can give broom award as well for the relevant officers.

Since May 2003, classes running in MPK's (municipal council) storerooms and under trees??? 4 and a half years!!! This is indeed a shameful matter.

Post-Hindraf Rally, I think this issue will be settled soon since new building is slated to have ground breaking ceremony next month.

My twisted mind seems to say that the fire may be on purpose to facilitate building of new blocks or the urgent need for the piece land which houses the school! 🙂


NST

Storerooms serve as classes

By : V. Shankar Ganesh


A fire on Saturday night rendered the remaining functional classrooms of SRK (T) Tepi Sungai useless. — NST picture by Che Rani Che Din

KLANG: It is a first that no school wanted to achieve.

But SRK (T) Tepi Sungai has become the first school to operate fully in a local council's storerooms after an 11pm fire on Saturday.

The fire destroyed a classroom in the only functional block in the school. This has prompted the authorities to declare the block out of bounds.  With this, all six classes, the office and the staff room will now be located in the Klang Municipal Council's storage building.

A section of the school had collapsed in 2003 because of termite infestation and other buildings were subsequently declared unsafe.
 

The two-classroom block, housing Years Five and Six classes, and the canteen are the only structures still functional. Following the termite infestation, four classrooms, the office and the staff room were moved to the council's storerooms.

Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Datin Paduka P. Komala Devi said the ministry would be providing the furniture for the classrooms, using funds allocated for emergencies.

A new three-storey block would be built later. Komala Devi, MP for the area, said the ministry had allocated RM1 million for the new block. She said a ground-breaking ceremony for the new block would be held on Jan 21 and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu would be present. Samy Vellu had also ordered contractors to set up temporary classrooms for the pupils.

Parent-Teacher Association chairman M. Valiyedam, 58, said the earlier move to the storerooms was supposed to be a temporary solution but they had been there for more than four years now.

On the fire, district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop said police were investigating the incident.

The STAR:

Fire razes Tamil school's last building

By WANI MUTHIAH

KLANG: Until Saturday, there was only one building standing at the SJK (T) Tepi Sungai, a ramshackle structure housing two classrooms. Today, even that is no more.  The building was razed by fire that night. 

Tables and chairs as well as the ceiling of a classroom were destroyed in the fire, which is believed to have occurred at about 11.30pm. In May 2003, part of the 100-year-old school building collapsed, and was demolished later after being declared unsafe. 

Besides the two classrooms that were razed, the pupils have been having their classes at the nearby Klang Municipal Council (MPK) store as well as under several big trees in the school premises. 

According to Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Komala Krishnamoorthy who went to the school yesterday morning, a security guard stationed there claimed two men had questioned him about the school at about 9pm on Saturday night. She added that the school's back fencing had also been cut. "The Fire and Rescue Department will be sending a team over on Monday to find out how the fire started and if it was arson," Komala said. 

She added that MPK had agreed to clear more rooms in its store to be used as classrooms until the school's new building is ready. 

"The ground-breaking ceremony for the new building will take place at 9.30am on Jan 21," Komala said, adding that the Government had already allocated the necessary funds for the construction of the new school building. The school's parent-teacher association (PTA) had requested a three-storey building with 16 classrooms, a computer lab, staff room, resource centre, library, canteen and a kindergarten on the 0.4ha site. 

Meanwhile, an official from the South Klang Fire and Rescue Department said one fire engine and four personnel were despatched to the scene of the fire. He said the fire was brought under control in less than an hour. 

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Shortage of Tamil school teachers

December 24th, 2007
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source

Makkal Osai reported that the Education Ministry had been urged to fill up the shortage of Tamil school teachers throughout the country. 

The paper quoted National Union of Teaching Profession secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng as saying that the union had received many complaints that for the coming school year, there will be a shortage of up to 400 teachers in Tamil schools. 

She said that the 2006-2010 Educational Blueprint had stressed that the standard of education would be raised in all primary schools regardless of whether it was a religious, national, Tamil or Chinese school.

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more comedy from MIC youth

December 23rd, 2007
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"Is the opposition really worried about the state of affairs of the Indians, or is it trying to win support for the coming elections?"
[ the same can be asked of all political parties. That's why they exist, no?]

"You mean, for 50 years, the MIC did not do anything?
[more likely the last 30 years its been downhill as compared to the 1st 20 years]

MIC acknowledged that the community had some chronic problems, such as in the area of education opportunities and also the relocation of estate workers.
[ aik! I thought everytime they said life is rosy and everyone is happy. Now, the community have some chronic problem???]

He said the MIC was trying to resolve these problems, but nothing could be done overnight.
[ 50 years is not overnight. Even 30 years is not overnight. If can convert one school every year to fully aided, we would have extra 30 schools to the 180].

"We also need more statistics on the problems facing the Indians so that we can bring them up with the government. This is now a priority for us."
[ Why not use YSS to gather statistics? They seem to look more capable. But really, now only want to collect statistics??? Never had monthly reports from divisions on poverty, unemployment, education etc? Only have statistics on voters and voting trend is it? Err…what was your priority before this?]

youth wing wanted to compile a list of problems in every area so that relevant action could be taken.
[ yeah..compile and add to the pile of neverending reports.]

"I have told all youth members to go on to the ground and gather all the information they can get and fax it to state youth secretariats daily."
[who pays for the fax cost? Can we also fax information?]

Comedy Time with MIC Youth! 🙂

Hindraf 'hijacked' by opposition

source

KLANG: Opposition politicians have hijacked the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) and are now proclaiming themselves as saviours of the Indians, a senior MIC official said.

"They have hijacked it and are going around throwing all kinds of accusations at the MIC and the government," said MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran.

"Is the opposition really worried about the state of affairs of the Indians, or is it trying to win support for the coming elections?"

Speaking at the start of a nationwide roadshow by the MIC Youth movement here on Friday night, Vigneswaran said the opposition kept saying the MIC had not done anything for the Indians.

"You mean, for 50 years, the MIC did not do anything?

"If this is true, why didn't these so-called heroes do anything all this while?"

The roadshow is to explain to the youth members the current issues and what needed to be done.

Vigneswaran said the MIC acknowledged that the community had some chronic problems, such as in the area of education opportunities and also the relocation of estate workers. He said the MIC was trying to resolve these problems, but nothing could be done overnight.

"We also need more statistics on the problems facing the Indians so that we can bring them up with the government. This is now a priority for us."

He said the youth wing wanted to compile a list of problems in every area so that relevant action could be taken.

"I have told all youth members to go on to the ground and gather all the information they can get and fax it to state youth secretariats daily."

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Gerakan leader Paranjothy attacks UMNO

December 21st, 2007
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I read with amazement the report below. Is Paranjothy committing political suicide or is this a case of "miscommunication" between him and the journalist?

Gerakan rep: Umno incites racial sentiments
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76305
Dec 21, 07 6:23pm

In an audacious move, a notable Gerakan politician has taken Barisan Nasional coalition leader Umno to task for inciting racial sentiments among Malays to gain political mileage. 

“They incite racial sentiments among their community in a petty attempt to further their political career,” Gerakan Youth vice-chief S Paranjothy alleged today.

Such attempts, he said, include taking potshots at other BN component parties which draw their support from non-Malay communities. 

“Umno leaders are very found of picking on component parties and use them as their punching bag or stepping-stone to gain popularity in their community,” Paranjothy said in a hard-hitting four-page statement entitled ‘Discrimination from Womb to Tomb’.

and his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that non-Malays would take advantage of a weak Umno leadership, as prime examples of racial posturing. 
 
He also cited Khairy’s speech at the Umno general assembly last month, during which he blamed newspaper vendors for not wanting to work on Deepavali day. He made a pointed reference to the fact that the sector is predominated by Indian Malaysians. 

(Each year, the print media takes a break during the major festivals. This year, Deepavali fell during the week of the Umno general assembly, and there was no publication on the day following the delivery of the presidential address.)

“Umno is fond of playing up sensitive issues among Malaysians. Statements and decisions made by Umno politicians have been (discriminatory) and contain a lot of racial slurs. So who is playing racial politics in Malaysia?… So who is causing racial disunity?” asked Paranjothy.

He warned that national unity would be elusive as long as political parties and politicians continue their communal approach towards politics.

“Politicians always feel (they) must fight for (their) own party. Since we have mostly ethnic parties, they are fighting for their ethnic group. It is difficult to achieve any kind of consensus.”

He stressed that the 14 BN component parties must consolidate into a single party in order to “end racial manipulation in politics”.

“In a multiracial party, if a politician wants to succeed, he would need to prove his ability and win support from all races, not just his own,” he explained.

‘Fourth-class citizens’

Commenting on the Nov 25 Hindraf rally, Paranjothy said the 30,000 Indians took part to express their “frustrations and anger” because the community has been “marginalised, oppressed and ignored”. 
 
Paranjothy said Indians form the most neglected group in economic terms, as shown by key performance indicators such as tertiary education.

“(They) are treated as fourth-class citizens. Where the Indians predominate over their fellow Malaysians is mostly in prison, violent crimes, gangsterism, suicide and social ills. Government policies have failed to improve (their situation).”

On the government’s hardline stance against public demonstrations, Paranjothy said the government has practised double-standards in the issuance of police permits.

“I have participated in street demonstrations and rallies organised by Barisan Nasional Youth, spearheaded by Umno Youth, to handover a memorandum… over certain issues that had taken place (abroad) which I believe would not have benefitted Malaysia.

“Did BN Youth obtained a permit to hold the rallies or demonstrations?… Looks like the government is one-sided when it came to the issuance of permits for public gatherings. BN started this culture of street demonstrations and now others have emulated it.”

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MIBA’s Sivakumar offers more views

December 21st, 2007
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He asked why the government cannot offer discounts to poor Indians and Chinese to purchase better houses.

"Why should they be left with the low-cost houses option? This will just lead to the creation of urban slums. They should also be given the opportunity to enjoy better housing," he added.

Yeah, why not?

Indian woes: Look at the BIG picture
RK Anand | Dec 21, 07 5:17pm
Source

The problems afflicting the Indian community in Malaysia extend beyond government handouts, said Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar today.

In order to view the big picture, he called on concerned groups, including MIC, to discard their conventional myopic ways.

The Johor-based businessman stressed on the importance of a reform in mindset and approach to tackle the community's woes.

"For decades, they have been talking about the same issues like estates, Tamil schools and temples. No doubt these are important, but the problem now is greater.

"What is confronting the community today are issues of national identity and equal opportunities in both the public and private sector as well as education," he told Malaysiakini.

After 50 years of independence, Sivakumar said Indians are deeply concerned about their future and that of their children's in this country.

"This is the real issues that need to be addressed. We cannot run away from them. The community is also concerned about its rights as enshrined in the federal constitution.

"This is a painful and tearful situation. Those with wealth, who are the minority, can afford to migrate, but what about the rest?" he said, adding, "I have been working with the community for 25 years and I have read their 'pulse'."

"It is these concerns that are being expressed. The community is not indulging in racism, communalism or extremism, they are merely expressing their sentiments and frustrations."

Elections – a test for BN

Sivakumar also warned that the coming general election will be a litmus test for the ruling Barisan Nasional government in terms of Indian votes.

In the past, Indians have been true-blue supporters of the ruling coalition but recent events, namely the emergence of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and allegations of marginalisation and persecution, indicate the possibility of a swing in votes.

Meanwhile, Sivakumar said the Indian community is not questioning the special privileges accorded to the bumiputera.

"These privileges were agreed to in the social contract in 1970 when the New Economic Policy (NEP) was formulated, agreed to and supported by all the races.

"This is not being disputed by anyone," added the 50-year-old entrepreneur who was one of those who met with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently to discuss the problems faced by the Indians.

The issue of contention, according to Sivakumar, is the 'abuse' of the NEP. "This has given rise to dissent and dissatisfaction. It is the lack of aid extended to the poor of other races. The poor are being neglected," he said.

He asked why the government cannot offer discounts to poor Indians and Chinese to purchase better houses.

"Why should they be left with the low-cost houses option? This will just lead to the creation of urban slums. They should also be given the opportunity to enjoy better housing," he added.

He reasoned that education and business are two key areas which can help propel the community towards a better future. "So, it is vital that the government assist Indians in these areas."

Furthermore, he said with the increase in the cost of living, the Indians must receive their fair share of help from the government to ensure that they can lead quality lives.

Samy 'departs from the norm'

"These are the issues that MIC should be pushing for instead of mentioning the same old things again and again," he added.

However, he commended MIC president S Samy Vellu over his recent comments, which Sivakumar described as a "departure from the norm."

"Samy Vellu made some critical observations, such as agreeing on the need for more Indians in the civil service and that the public delivery system must be improved and stressing on the need for a Malaysian identity," he said.

Sivakumar also commented on a news report today which quoted Johor MIC chief K S Balakrishnan as saying that the state never marginalised Indians.

Among others, the state MIC leader said the state granted RM9 million over the past years for the modernisation and development of Tamil schools while RM2 million was allocated last year to build new Tamil schools, renovate classrooms and buy equipment.

"I have to agree with this," said Sivakumar.

"Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman has a track record of being fair to all races. He was also generous enough to extend a privatisation project to the community, but this was later withdrawn.

"Maybe Johor MIC can explain why it was withdrawn," he said, without elaborating.

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