It appears to me that debate or discussion on Tamil-medium national-type schools continues to be plagued by misinformed or ill-informed facts, tangential arguments, and, all too often, unwarranted emotion. About three years ago, I wrote a letter to Malaysiakini on Tamil schools, which, I believe, remains relevant.

Despite the rhetoric, Tamil schools have improved significantly - especially in the last decade. The primary school I attended, SJKT Saraswathy, from 1978 to 1983 was the best Tamil school then (in terms of size, facilities and exam performance) in the state of Kedah. These days, hardly any Tamil school looks or performs as bad.

Of course, the UPSR pass rate in Tamil schools, at around 37%, is still well below that of Chinese (48%) and Malay (56%) Schools. But are Tamil schools the culprit? Consider the fact that only about 39% of Indian Malaysian children of ages 5-6 attend preschool. The reasons for the low enrolment in preschools could perhaps be stated thus: access, affordability and awareness (or lack thereof).

Given this reality, it is pointless for the Indian Malaysian community, steeped in their loyalty for the BN government, to continue their fruitless wait for the never arriving state gravy train. Members of the community have to step up, and take a greater responsibility for the community’s fate.

This is not to say we as citizens shouldn’t expect any assistance from government that is due. After all, the government purportedly (as per education minister’s response in Parliament a couple of years back) spends some RM345m annually on Tamil schools.

Still, we can do more, and we should. One option or ‘how to’ guide is here. In that sense, making a scapegoat of Tamil schools is nothing but escapism.