THE Penang government has announced an allocation of RM100,000 for one of the oldest Tamil schools in the state, SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the special allocation was to assist the school in its construction project to build a new four-storey building.
“I was told that the new building will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure such as a computer and science laboratory, art room, and more classrooms.
“The estimated cost of the construction project is around RM2.5 million, and I hope that the allocation can assist in some way.
“It shows that the state government has never neglected its duty to ensure that this school and other schools in the state are well equipped (in terms of their facilities) and in a good condition to accept the new intakes every year.
“At the same time, I hope more non-governmental organisations (NGOs), companies and good Samaritans will step forward to assist SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee in its construction project to build a new four-storey building since the fund is still not enough,” Chow said in his speech at a charity dinner to commemorate the school’s 70th anniversary at Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru today.
Following the announcement, Chow also presented a RM100,000 mock cheque to the SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee headmistress Mageswary Kunjappa.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan and Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG) of SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee chairman Dr Venugopal Balakrishnan.
Mageswary expressed her utmost gratitude and appreciation to the Penang government for its valuable contribution to the school.
“As we know the 70-year-old school first operated in Gelugor before it moved to a new location in Bukit Gambir in 2014.
“Back then, the original school in Gelugor was just a hall for a drama troupe which performed at a temple nearby.
“The current SJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee building in Bukit Gambir has nine classrooms, a computer and science laboratory, and a library.
“The pupil enrolment has increased from 208 pupils in 2015 to 340 pupils this year since the school moved to Bukit Gambir.
“The increase in enrolment requires the school to have more classrooms and that is why the school needs a new building to cater for more pupils in the future.
“This is also to ensure they can have the best learning environment,” she said.
Mageswary also hoped that more NGOs and good Samaritans would assist the school in the project.
“Kind donors can contact the school management at 012-6512480 / 013-3396462 for more details,” she added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis