I refer to your reports PPP chief calls for closure of Tamil schools and Satu lagi aduan polis terhadap Kayveas .

Usually, Senator M Kayveas appears to be saying controversial stuff just to grab the headlines. However o­n this topic, I must agree with him as I think Tamil school leavers generally do not progress further in business and education.

I admit that I do not have a single shred of evidence to back my claim except from my observation of the situation during my university days and my working life.

Perhaps MIC and Yayasan Sosial can provide the necessary data to back any claim. Some time ago, a New Straits Times writer also wrote something similar but at the time the police raid o­n malaysiakini was grabbing all the headlines.

In contrast to the Chinese schools, Tamil schools are under-funded, shunned by the Indian middle/upper-class and generally have a bad reputation. No matter how the actual situation is, the perception is also important. And when was the last time you heard of a Tamil school scholar obtaining many A's, like in other schools?

The argument to keep Tamil school alive to protect the culture is also shortsighted. If I were to choose between economic well-being and cultural knowledge, I know exactly what my choice would be. Culture can be maintained irrespective of schools.

Chinese educationists will most definitely support the continued existence of Tamil schools as otherwise they would be sowing the seed for abolition of vernacular schools.

But Chinese schools produce brilliant students (though they may not be able to put together a decent report) and Chinese candidates are always sought for jobs. Have you seen any advert that says Tamil knowledge is essential for any particular job?

Perhaps this time Kayveas got it correct, but he had better prepare himself for the brickbats flying in his direction.

Police reports are, however, not the answer. Have a meaningful discussion, please.