A former Tamil newspaper journalist believes that by incorporating Tamil language classes in the teaching schedules of schools will save the language from extinction in Malaysia.

The journalist, A Tamil Mani, said he has done extensive research regarding this.

"Let's face it, nobody wants to send our children to Tamil schools anymore. Even those who claim themselves to be the saviours of Tamil schools don't send their kids there," he added.

Tamil Mani said this at a forum, attended by some 30 people, at the Kuala Lumpur Indian Chamber of Commerce. It was organised by the Malaysia Thirukural Association in the Selangor.

"Estate labourers send their children to Tamil schools in the estates. In the cities, only factory workers and small scale businessmen send their kids to these schools," he said, adding that few professionals send their children to Tamil schools.

Referring to statistics from the Education Ministry, Tamil Mani said: "We have 105, 175 Indian students which is 52 percent in Tamil vernacular schools. And at the same time we have almost 95,000 or 48 percent Indian students in both national schools and Chinese vernacular schools. How are we going to reach this 48 percent?"

Explaining, he said the only way to ensure the continued existence of the Tamil language in Malaysia is to make it a compulsory examination subject in national schools.

"This has been practised for very long in Singapore, and all Tamils in the country can at least speak, write and read basic Tamil," he said.

"If we see now, only those who've attended Tamil schools (in Malaysia), who are more often than not the backward class Tamils, who could speak the language," he said, adding that the situation must not continue.

Communication language

Tamil Mani also urged the relevant authorities to make Tamil a compulsory "communication language" for Malay and Chinese students in all schools.

"If Tamil and also Chinese are made compulsory languages in schools, we will have a future generation that could speak all the major languages in the country," he said.

"Language is the first step towards understanding. By knowing all three languages, we would be able to understand others' beliefs and cultures. This makes way for national integration," he said.

Noting the difficulties that could surface when the policy is first implemented, Tamil Mani explained: "In the beginning, we might hesitate to learn other languages. But once it is achieved, we can easily bridge all communities."

However, some participants disagreed with Tamil Mani.

They felt that making Tamil a compulsory examination subject in national schools will be the starting point of the extinction of Tamil schools.

K Nedunchelian said Singapore's education system is a failure and the government is looking for a more suitable policy.

"Tamil youths in Singapore cannot speak in Tamil. This is because Tamil is taught as just the second language and they do not use the language as extensively as students in Tamil schools," he said.

Furthermore, he added, the policy will only help the ruling government to abolish Tamil schools.

Meanwhile, B Kalaivanar, who had the same view as Nedunchelian, urged Tamil Mani to fine tune his proposal.

"Although it a good proposal, it needs to fine tuned. Or else, we're paving the way for the government to get rid of Tamil schools," he said.