15 percent of the Tamil school teachers are expected to be graduates by 2010, says Malaysian Tamil Schools Organisation chief organiser S. Baskaran. The 15% is about 1200 teachers. At present, there are about 8,000 Tamil schoolteachers and only 10% are graduates. The aim should be to increase this percentage to about 100% by 2020 – either via part time degree program or recruiting teachers with degree.
Two of my sister in laws are doing their degree part-time via OUM, both starting this year. Another relative also got a place to pursue degree part time via OUM.
Perhaps this opportunity will encourage more people to take up teaching. As it is, there are less people applying for Tamil in teachers training colleges.