Make Tamil compulsory in Malay schools

'Make Tamil compulsory in Malay schools'
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Singapore, Dec 2

The Malaysian Indian Congress, one of the leading political parties in the multi-party ruling Barisan Nasional, wants teaching of Tamil language to be made compulsory in all national schools where Indian children are present.

''We want Tamil to be taught in national schools whether parents request it or not,'' the New Straits Times today quoted MIC president S Samy Vellu as saying.

The party was against the suggestion that Tamil classes would only be introduced in primary schools if at least 15 pupils were interested.

Samy Vellu, who is also a senior minister in the Cabinet, pointed out that secondary schools had kept to the 15-student criterion when offering Tamil classes and foiled efforts to hold such classes.

"I am sure it will be another failure if the same were to happen in primary schools,'' he said, expressing doubt that headmasters were keen enough to ensure that classes be held throughout the school term.

The MIC would present a proposal to the Education Ministry on the matter, he said.

On the lack of teachers to teach Tamil, Vellu said the problem existed when he entered politics 42 years ago.

It was important that teachers be recruited and trained to teach the subject, he said.

Deputy Education Minister Abdul Aziz Shamsudin last week announced in parliament that Tamil, Arabic and Mandarin languages would be introduced in over 1,000 national primary schools next year.

Tamil is a commonly spoken Indian language among Malaysians of South Indian origin.

The MIC is rated as one of the third most important political party after the United Malays National Organisation and the Malaysian Chinese Association.

UNI