• Full funding for Tamil schools a tricky issue
  • Krisna
  • 1181027929
  • I refer to the malaysiakini report Banned book: Author files legal action.

    Finally, a serious and accurate study of the Kampung Medan issue. There's one other problem that the study missed out. MIC is in the government to assist them to resolve the problems of the Indian Malaysian community. But as we have found out, the MIC is corrupt and doesn't have the skills or ability. The Maika shares issue is one major example.

    The government should not depend on the MIC anymore. The social problems of the Indians can only be solved with the active participation of the government.

    Let's look at the Tamil schools. Though Tun Sambanthan agreed and signed the Education Act 1956, Indians just don't have the funds or the skills to operate Tamil schools the way the Chinese do. The Chinese have a long history (at least 2,000 years) in the administration of formal education whereas mass formal education is only a recent phenomenon for the Indians in Malaysia.

    Many Indian organisations are asking for full funding for Tamil schools without realising that the Education Act 1956 has to be amended first. Besides, the Chinese will also then request for full funding. And how is Umno going to do this without the support of its members?

    Ideally, the best solution would be to convert Tamil schools into national schools, keeping Tamil as a single subject to be taught during normal school hours. But do the MIC and Indian Malaysian organisations have the courage to make this change?

    There is another option for the government - have a referendum on the issue. Most of us feel the majority of Indians will say 'Yes' to the proposal above but will the government hold a referendum? This is the question.
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