The Amazing Tamil School

It has been 50 years since Malaysia obtained independence from the British on 31 August 1957. Since then the country has been witnessing progress by leaps and bounds in various sectors including the education sector. But there is still a loophole in our education system which appears to provide less prominence to vernacular education in the country. It is disheartening to see that there are still several Tamil schools with deplorable conditions and meagre facilities.

It is really amazing yet shameful to know that SJK (T) Ladang Sg Salak is located at a shop house in Lukut, Negeri Sembilan. Previously, with the least of facilities and opportunities, there were schools relocated in Containers, and Pondoks (huts). Now with the country moving at a fast pace towards achieving vision 2020, we are proud to have a school located in a shop house. It is an absolute ridicule to our education system.

SJK (T) Ladang Sg Salak which was relocated at the shop house in Jan 2007 previously had been squatting with SJK (T) Bandar Springhill. In the recently announced Malaysian Education Blue Print’s Report Card it was stated that the school has been given permission to relocate to Lukut. Now we understand that the Education Ministry was very successful in relocating the school at a shop house instead of constructing a new building for the school although a huge amount of money has been allocated in the 9th Malaysia Plan for upgrading school buildings.

No one would deny that environment at the shop house school is not conducive at all for learning purposes as there is also a welding shop just beside the school. Furthermore, it would greatly affect the students’ safety as there is no fencing around the school. The school will also not be able to carry out extra curriculum activities for the students without a field whereas the education ministry is currently emphasizing on the involvement of students in extra curriculum activities.

The school with its limited spaces is also not in the position to set up a library in the building for its students. What we can conclude here is that now the 50 students in the school after 50 years of Independence are cordoned off the school till relevant authorities undertake the necessary actions to release them from the undesirable situation.

Therefore the Indian community leaders need to play more proactive roles in this matter to ensure that the down and out Indian children receive top-notch education in pleasant environments. If the leaders do not take a forward step to seek a solution for this school, no one would. Also the leaders are obligated to ensure other Tamil schools will not be marginalized and sidelined in terms of providing excellent facilities and quality education to our younger generation.