RM 500,000 more for Tamil schools in Malaysia

Johor Baru, Jan 3 (ANI): Malaysian state government has approved an additional sum of RM 500,000 to build new infrastructure and upgrade facilities in Tamil schools.

Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman said that RM 300,000 would be used to build a new hall for SJK(T) Chaah in Segamat.

He said the request came from the Johor Tamil School Headmasters' Council, and was conveyed by Johor MIC liaison chief Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan.

"I have agreed to another request of RM 150,000 for immediate aid for three schools in Mersing, Taman Tun Aminah Skudai and Kulai Besar," he said at a prize presentation ceremony for Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah pupils at the Johor Baru Tengah City Council hall yesterday.

He presented cash and a trophy each to 296 Indian pupils who scored 7As and 6As in the exam, The NST Online reports.

Ghani said SJK(T) Masai and SJK(T) Tun Aminah would each receive RM 20,000 to upgrade facilities.

He said the RM 500,000 was in addition to about RM 1 million that was approved by the state legislative assembly for the 73 Tamil schools in Johor, which have 13,000 pupils and 1,200 teachers.

Ghani urged parents to encourage their children to take up certificate or diploma courses as an alternative to tertiary education. (ANI)