Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email PM to get report on Tamil schools' redevelopment
BERNAMA
IPOH, Sun.:
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will submit to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi a detailed report on the redevelopment of the remaining Tamil schools which are in dire need of repair.
A similar report will also be forwarded to Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein for financial aid, he said after chairing a meeting of Tamil school headmasters and Parent-Teacher Associations’ chairmen here today.
“We have rebuilt 76 Tamil schools (of the 523 Tamil schools) in the past 20 years and many more need to be rebuilt,” said the Works Minister, adding that some schools needed immediate attention.
Samy Vellu said the report would have the names of the school that required repairs and the allocation needed.
He said there was an urgent need for more allocations to provide a better environment for teaching and learning in Tamil schools.
“I strongly believe the 76 Tamil schools that we have rebuilt have created a better learning environment and facilities.
“This has provided the students with better enthusiasm, knowledge and the strength to continue with their educational excellence and also to compete with other schools in their examinations,” he said.
Samy Vellu said between RM30 million and RM40 million would have to be spent on Tamil schools’ redevelopment before the Ninth Malaysia Plan ended.
“We are thankful to the government for the yearly allocation for this purpose,” Samy Vellu said, adding that some Tamil schools needed to be relocated to other places due to low student enrolment.
“We are targeting housing areas where there are sizeable number of Indian parents who wish to send their children to Tamil schools,” he said.
The minister said the MIC would continue to negotiate with the Education Ministry to ensure Tamil schools’ survival.
