Enrollment in Malaysian Tamil schools has seen a noticeable decline, with only 10,330 students registering for the first year of primary school this year according to Malaysian Tamil School Headmasters Association.
The 2026 school session has officially began and the numbers indicate a continuing downward trend from previous years, when 11,021 students joined 2025 and 11,568 in 2024. Education officials stated lower birth rates and the preference of many families for national or Chinese schools as key factors behind the drop.
Enrollment by state shows Selangor leading with 3,211 students, followed by Johor (1840) Perak (1,497), and Negeri Sembilan (1,070). Meanwhile, Penang (743), Kedah (880), Kuala Lumpur (460), Malacca (323), and Pahang (296) recorded moderate figures. At the lower end, Perlis had just 7 students, while Kelantan had 3.
Community leaders have expressed concern over the declining numbers, noting that Tamil schools play a vital role in preserving language and culture among Malaysian Indians. They urge parents and authorities to take active measures to encourage enrollment and support the schools.
Source: Nambikkai
