Posts Tagged ‘Tamil school’

5122 relief teachers recruited

May 29th, 2008
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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.

source

PRIMA supports who?

May 29th, 2008
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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?

Murugiah with new foundation for Tamil schools

May 28th, 2008
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The new minister Murugiah announces something interesting – a foundation for tamil schools. Not to be confused with Tamil Foundation. The Tamil School Foundation (TSF)  will “look into the welfare and maintenance” of the 523 schools. Many questions arises from this statement:

– why are the public expected to use their money when its the responsibility of the government to “look into welfare and maintenance” of the schools? Unless of course, this is a supportive body and not meant to relieve the relevant bodies of their responsibilities

–  Would the foundation come under any particular authorities or be an NGO kind of entity?

– is it a registered body?

– Why not use existing channels like EWRF, Tamil Foundation, PTAs, Tamil School Headmasters Association, etc?

I guess we have to wait for more details, but hopefully it will answer the questions above. Of course, there’s still the question on who will handle the money. We’ll leave it for another day. » Read more: Murugiah with new foundation for Tamil schools

300 million not for MIC

May 27th, 2008
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After letters condemning MIC’s 300 million claim appears in papers (not to mention in kedai kopi and blogs too), Samy clarifies that the money WILL not pass through MIC, not even a single sen! Hmm…it would have been a non-issue if this clarified earlier. Perhaps they thought they can get away with it, but brader…this is 2008, not 1980s! Let’s hope for good news from PM in July.

Anyway, doing the maths reveals that:

100 mil  -investment fund

50 mil –  SME/SMI

30 mil – micro-credit

10 mil – agro business

50 mil – new schools

15 mil – pre-school

30 mil –  hostel

15 mil – single mothers / poor families

total: RM300 million.

» Read more: 300 million not for MIC

300 million is to raise equity

May 18th, 2008
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After making an audacious request of RM300 million per annum till 2020, Samy clarifies that it is to raise “indian equity”, and to invest in agro-based business and school affairs.

The proposal have been submitted, but we all know what happens to proposals. 🙂

Due to the economic pressure and increased spending for subsidies, I doubt this proposal will be approved. Maybe at most, a one-off amount of 100 million to give some hope and alleviate the situation.

» Read more: 300 million is to raise equity