The marked improvement among Tamil schools pupils in the Malaysian elementary examination (UPSR) over the last three years proves that Tamil schools are on par with other schools in terms of academic standards and learning environment, said MIC president S Samy Vellu today.

In line with the steady improvement, the MIC has thus declared 2005 as the 'Year of Education', Samy Vellu who is also works minister said in a Bernama report.

This would also coincide with the opening of the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) in Sungai Petani, Kedah in the middle of the year, he added.

"It is indeed going to be an exciting year ahead for the Indian community as far as education is concerned," he said in a statement in conjunction with the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) President's Merit Award ceremony for top UPSR scorers from Tamil schools in Petaling Jaya.

Better results

"Last year, there was an increase of six per cent (378 students) in the number of Tamil schools pupils who secured 7As as compared to 356 pupils in 2003 in the UPSR examination."

Samy Vellu said that the MIED's move to introduce the annual award three years ago had greatly motivated students to excel in the UPSR examination.

He also said that the MIC, through the MIED, would pursue its agenda of ensuring the creation of an educated Malaysian Indian society in line with the country's vision of a knowledge-based society.