Ramasamy fumes at RM19m “token allocation” for upkeep of Tamil schools nationwide

 

IF I WERE the minister or the deputy minister in the Madani government I would be too ashamed to announce that Tamil schools in the country obtained RM19 mil for their maintenance.

What is more frustrating is that the increase of less than RM1 mil from last year (2024) is considered negligible taking into account inflation and others.

Yet the Deputy Minister of Education Wong Kah Woh had the temerity to say that the allocation was testimony to the government’s commitment to the improvement of Tamil schools in the country.

With more than 560 Tamil schools in the country with many of them sadly in need of repairs due years of neglect. the RM19.09 mil allocation is nothing but a drop in the vast ocean.

What is mind-boggling is that the Education Ministry (MOE) headed by Minister Fadhlina Sidek receives an annual budgetary allocation of RM60 bil, the highest compared to the other ministries.

Compared to the national and Chinese vernacular schools, Tamils schools – especially those in the interior areas – are in the worst shape physically.

One of the primary reasons why there is lack of enrolment in the rural Tamil schools is related to the conditions of these schools.

This is the reason why when I was the Penang deputy chief minister II, much emphasis was paid to the improvement of the physical infrastructure of such schools.

There was once a Tamil school in Nibong Tebal, Penang with declining student enrolment. However, after the physical infrastructure of the school was improved, its pupa enrolment tremendously improved.

It is utter shame to openly declare a RM19 mil allocation for the improvement of physical infrastructure for an estimated 528 Tamil schools nationwide as an example of the Madani government’s commitment to Tamil vernacular education.

Far from it, the meagre allocation is testimony to the government’s disinterest in Tamil schools.

It is already predicted if some Tamil schools are not improved in the near future, the chances of them closing down seem rather imminent.

If this happens, the Madani government has to bear the full responsibility. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.