PENANG is the first state in the country that started to provide allocation for Tamil schools in the state government’s annual budget every single year since 2009, says caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
According to Chow, until now, more than RM25 million has been channelled to Tamil schools in the state through the yearly allocation.
“All 28 Tamil schools in Penang have received this yearly allocation and benefited from it.
“The yearly allocation is channelled directly to the school PIBG (Parents and Teachers Association) account for various uses, ranging from infrastructure maintenance to empowerment and academic development.
“As a matter of fact, from such allocation also, I was informed that all 28 Tamil schools in the state have recorded a satisfactory number of new intakes every year,” Chow said in his speech during the engagement session with the Indian community at SP Arena in Seberang Jaya today.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, caretaker Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, former Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, former Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy, former Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor David Marshel.
Chow added that he was proud to hear about the achievements of Tamil schools in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in the national and international science competitions.
“I was also informed that every Tamil school in Penang is already equipped with 21st-century smart classrooms (at least one in each school) to embrace digital classroom learning.
“And I feel happy that because of the state government contribution, we have succeeded in changing the face of Tamil schools in Penang as a whole,” he said.
Chow stressed that although education matter is not under the purview of the state government, the state government remains committed to assisting Tamil schools and every other school in Penang.
“We want to produce better quality human capital and provide benefits to the community, state and country. And there is no better way to invest in human capital than in education,” he said.
Chow said that Penang is the only state in Malaysia that has established the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB).
“PHEB’s main role is to administer the endowments placed under its administration.
“This includes assisting in any issues related to the Hindu community and Hindu temples in the state.
“Since 2010, the state government has provided an RM2 million special grant annually to PHEB to carry out its role.
“All of this shows the Penang government cares about the welfare of the Indian community in the state,” he said.
Chow also said that the state government greatly appreciates the solid support given by the Indian community in Penang since Pakatan Harapan administered the state in 2008.
He hoped such support would continue in the upcoming state election.
Meanwhile, Anwar said that based on the data and population numbers, the Indian ethnic group is the poorest compared to others in the country.
“Hence, the current Federal Government leadership is very committed to undertaking various programmes to address this matter.
“I have also informed Federal agencies to help underprivileged families especially those in the ‘hardcore poor’ category regardless of their race and religion,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Siew Chia En