DEPUTY Chief Minister II Prof Dr. P. Ramasamy (DAP-Perai), who is the exco for economic planning, education, human resources and science,technology & innovation, in his winding-up speech in the state assembly gave a detailed account on the issues raised pertaining to his portfolio.
Bagan Dalam assemblymember A.Tanasekharan touched on the issue concerning the state government’s allocation to Tamil schools in Penang compared to the allocation from the Federal Government.
Responding to that, Dr Ramasamy said that since 2010 the state government has been allocating RM1.75 million every year to some 28 Tamil schools in Penang.
The Federal Government has given an allocation of RM1,477,240 for the maintenance fund for 10 Tamil schools.
Dr Ramasamy stated that the state government’s desire is to ensure that Tamil school children enjoy a conducive learning environment, thus some initiatives have been taken concerning this.
Among these initiatives were new classrooms being built to tackle inadequacy of classrooms, halls built in eight schools, computer labs in 12 schools, ensuring all the schools have modern toilet facilities, upgrading the staffroom and principals’ rooms, upgrading of the school library and increasing the number of reading materials and equipping the classrooms with 21st century facilities in three schools, namely SKJT Mak Mandin, SKJT Bukit Mertajam and SJKT Sungai Ara and it will be extended to all the schools stage by stage.
Apart from upgrading the infrastructures, state government’s mission is to transform Tamil schools into “IT savvy” schools and to prepare them to face the challenges of the 21st century.
The state government also provided SWIPE (Smart Wireless Interactive Presentation & Education System) in Tamil schools since 2015.
Hence, Dr Ramasamy said that, the state government feels that the introduction of ICT facilities and the upgrading of infrastructures would encourage more parents to send their children to Tamil schools which would guarantee the future of Tamil schools in Penang.
Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (BN-Sungai Dua) suggested that the state government pay attention to the Industrial Revolution 4.0 in order to produce sufficient human capital and talent in the future.
In response to this suggestion, Dr Ramasamy said the state government has already embarked on the preparation towards Industrial Revolution 4.0.