Malaysia is the only country besides India where Tamil schools still survive. We know that Tamil schools have been established over 100 years ago. Since then we have witnessed changes in the education system of Tamil schools, along with students and their achievements both in curricular and co-curricular wise. Tamil schools have been the very foundation of many Indians today who we are proud of, sprouting the very basics of culture and the essence of Tamil language itself. If there is one thing that still makes Tamil strive in our country Malaysia, it is Tamil schools. However, little has been done for what these Tamil schools have done for our Indian community.
Recently, I have set my sights upon my own primary school, SJK(T) Subramaniya Barathee, Penang (picture below). While I graduated there since year 2000, I have noticed many significant changes as mentioned but sadly the school lacks infrastructure wise. The number of achievers have rapidly
increased following the UPSR results as by year 2010, that now this school stands tall as one of the best schools in Penang and still goes on to perform well. The displease that this school deserves much more just seems to grow even more now that the school currently, in the year of 2010, have yet to improve in their infrastructure.
Early this year after the SPM results were out, in Penang state, St. George's Girls' School (SGGS) published an issue in The Star newspaper about their top achievers'. One of them happened to be an ex-Barathee student, Deepa Manogaran (picture below).
She has made both her parents and her ex-primary school very proud. But people like this exist in almost every Tamil school, not denying the fact. But nonetheless, there are those who fail to sprout out of it. It is true parents play an important role, but those who are studying in Tamil schools are not exactly stable in financial wise. Education serves to improve the quality of human life, why not provide it fair to everyone, the rich and the poor? By studying in a moderate school, with poor infrastructure 1 out of 50 students could excel, imagine the outcome if the school had proper facilities! The rest as the nation has seen result to gangstrism, violence, committing crimes such as theft, working as a factory worker, and even some getting married at an early age. Do we want these series of events to continue to occur?
Tamil schools have the potential to strive among the Chinese schools and the SK schools provided they are given the equality. Statistics show that there are over 522 Tamil schools nationwide. And MIC alongside with the government have allocated RM80million assistance package for Tamil schools. It is necessary that these Tamil schools be redeveloped to provide its quality of education and culture for the new generation. Tamil schools are not to be forgotten or neglected whatsoever. It plays a major role in developing education and the Indian culture of Indian students and thus should not be looked down upon. I wish all the best to the aiding societies, and Tamil schools nationwide to continue their struggle to succeed in their doings. Vaazhga Tamil....
By,
J.Sivasankaraan
