Fund for Tamil schools proposed in Malaysia

Ipoh, June 10 : Malaysia's People's Progressive Party is proposing to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein that a fund for Tamil schools be set up.

It suggests seeking donations from corporate figures and the Indian community, The NST Online reported.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's department Senator T. Murugiah, who is the PPP National Youth chief, said the fund would help schools in poor condition and lacking in facilities.

"The fund will finance the construction of facilities in such schools, which are suffering a drop in enrolment. The lack of facilities is one reason parents refuse to send their children there," he said.

Murugiah said the fund would be managed by an independent committee with similar committees formed at the state level to disburse aid.

"There is no political motive for setting up the fund. Our goal is to make Tamil schools conducive for teaching and learning, whether or not the schools are located in opposition-held states," he added.

ANI