A special conference to discuss and formulate a new blueprint for the future of Tamil schools in the country must be convened, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak says.

He said the conference, which should involve Tamil school teachers, parent-teacher associations and relevant non-governmental organisations, must discuss various aspects of the schools, including whether remove classes were still needed.

NONE "Other constraints faced by Tamil schools, including (shortage) of degree-holding teachers, design of the schools and school necessities, must also be discussed at the conference," Najib said when meeting with members of the Malaysia Tamil Schools Community at SJK Tamil Kinrara in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said resolutions arising from the conference could also be taken into consideration by the Education Ministry and the government to further develop the schools.

"The government is committed and sincere in developing Tamil schools, as well as other schools," said the prime minister, who also announced that the government had approved the construction of six more Tamil schools in Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Johor.

Importance of Tamil schools recognised

Three of the schools would be built in Selangor, namely in Taman Sentosa in Klang, Taman PJS1 in Petaling Jaya and Bandar Mahkota, and one each in Taman Keladi in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Heawood Estate in Sungai Siput, Perak and Bandar Sri Alam in Masai, Johor.

Najib said this was part of the government's recognition of the importance of Tamil schools for the Indian community in the country.

Apart from that, he said, the government was also giving attention to the situation in 15 Tamil schools reported to have less than 10 pupils each, to determine whether they should be relocated to other areas with higher population densities.

"This is one of the moves that will be taken by the government for the future of Tamil schools. What's important is that there exists close cooperation between the government, Tamil school teachers associations, parent-teacher associations and the Indian community as a whole.

"We must take this as an integrated effort to achieve our common objectives," he said.

During the event, Najib also announced an allocation of RM3.5 million for SJK Tamil Kinrara for the construction of its four-storey building.

Also present were MIC president G Palanivel, who is also minister in the Prime Minister's Department, MIC deputy president and Human Resource Minister Dr S Subramaniam, special ambassador to India and South Asia S Samy Vellu, PPP president M  Kayveas and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar.

More than 3,000 members of the community attended the event, which was graced for the first time by the prime minister.

- Bernama