Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email RM923 million for 523 schools for period between 2006 and 2007 is about RM882,000 per year. The report did not mention if the amount includes salaries, KWAMP, tuition vouchers, text book subsidies, etc. The point is not about money being spent, but the amount and level of spending as partially aided school receive limited funds. Fund allocation also depends on number of students in the school. Since roughly one third of tamil schools are fully-aided, the balance will receive even less than the average (RM882k).
Another point to note is that there ambiguity on the schools being built – is it new schools (thus increasing number of schools), new building to add to or replace existing ones, or relocation from another place?
Good thing that at least 3 schools have been converted to fully aided status. Another few hundred more to go.
Billions spent on Chinese, Tamil schools
PUTRAJAYA: Contrary to popular belief, the Education Ministry has spent huge sums of money on both Chinese and Tamil schools in the past.
The National Education Blueprint 2006-2010 second report card states that since 2006 and up to last year, RM2.27 billion had been given to Chinese schools while RM923 million were for Tamil schools in 2007.
The blueprint also states that nine Chinese schools have been relocated to densely populated Chinese areas for the sake of the community’s convenience. Three schools were also being built, which includes two Chinese schools in Selangor and Kulai, Johor, and a Tamil school in Paya Lunas, Kedah.
Despite the billions of ringgit allocated in 2006, Chinese and Tamil schools received an additional RM174.3 million and RM64.8 million respectively.
For this year alone, the ministry had approved an additional six Chinese schools in various areas while 13 Chinese schools will be relocated to new areas.
As for Tamil schools, three schools – mainly SJKT Ladang Pamol, Kluang, Johor, SJKT Seafield, Subang, Selangor and SJKT Ladang Batu Kawan – have had their status changed from partially aided to fully aided schools.
