Tamil schools in Penang (Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil or SJKT) have been benefiting from an annual allocation ranging from RM70,000 to RM80,000 to upgrade their basic facilities.
Over the years, this funding has facilitated steady progress in improving the infrastructure of these schools.
However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow acknowledged that while this initiative has made a significant impact, the allocated sum remains insufficient to meet all the schools’ needs.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Penang Tamil Language Teachers International Conference 2024 at the Penang Campus of the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia, Chow highlighted the program’s nearly 15-year legacy of support.
“The exco member in charge (housing and environment), Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, insists the allocation is insufficient and urges me to increase it so that Tamil schools can benefit further,” he said.
Chow assured the audience of the state government’s commitment to exploring ways to enhance this allocation to further support SJKT development.
Since 2023, Penang has allocated a total of RM2.39 million annually as special assistance to Tamil schools, Tamil school kindergartens, Punjabi schools, and the Tamil Schools Committee Special Fund.
Despite challenges, the program underscores Penang’s dedication to nurturing Tamil language education.
Chow emphasized the Tamil language’s cultural, historical, and traditional richness, which has endured for thousands of years.
He underscored the importance of Tamil language teachers in preserving and passing this heritage on to future generations.
The event not only celebrated the contributions of Tamil language teachers but also underscored the state’s commitment to advancing Tamil education, culture, and heritage for generations to come.
Source: Bernama
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