1st Meeting 2024

26 February 2024 – 27 March 2024

MPs Reaffirm Tamil School Legality Amidst Calls for Funding Equity and Teacher Recruitment

The Malaysian Parliament's First Meeting of the Third Session saw robust discussions surrounding Tamil schools (SJK(T)s), with MPs from across the political spectrum reaffirming their constitutional standing and advocating for improved funding, infrastructure, and teacher recruitment. While the Education Minister acknowledged the opening of a new SJK(T) and reiterated the government's commitment to mother-tongue education, backbenchers pressed for specific allocations and timely project completion, highlighting persistent challenges in teacher shortages and facility upgrades.

Key Findings

The constitutional legality and existence of vernacular schools, including SJK(T)s, were strongly defended by multiple MPs, citing recent Federal Court and Court of Appeal decisions, in response to renewed criticisms against the system.
A new SJK(T) Heawood in Perak commenced operations for the 2024/2025 academic session on 11 March 2024, as announced by the Minister of Education, Puan Fadhlina binti Sidek.
A national teacher shortage of 22,068 was highlighted, with 168 specific vacancies in SJK(T)s, prompting an inquiry into the Ministry of Education's strategy to address this critical issue.
Concerns were raised regarding the status and delays of SJK(T) construction projects under past Malaysia Plans and Special Stimulus Packages, with specific calls to expedite processes for SJK(T) Sungai Reyla.
The First Supplementary Budget 2023/2024, including a RM1.9 billion allocation for the Ministry of Education, was noted for its provision for salary adjustments for contract security and cleaning workers in all schools, including SJK(T)s.

MP Scorecard

MP Name	Constituency	Topic	Stance	Impact
Datuk Muslimin bin Yahaya	Sungai Besar	168 SJK(T) teacher vacancies	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Tuan Lim Guan Eng	Bagan	Fair development allocation for vernacular schools	Advocacy	General Rhetoric
Tuan Kesavan a/l Subramaniam	Sungai Siput	Status of SJK(T) construction projects	Inquiry	Localised Issue
Dato’ Haji Shamshulkahar bin Mohd Deli	Jempol	Strengthen cross-cultural school programs	Advocacy	General Rhetoric
Tuan Tan Kok Wai	Cheras	Defending vernacular schools' constitutional legality	Advocacy	General Rhetoric
Tuan Wan Ahmad Fayhsal bin Wan Ahmad Kamal	Machang	Vernacular schools and national unity debate	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong	Ayer Hitam	Government's stance on vernacular school legality	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Puan Hajah Salamiah binti Mohd Nor	Temerloh	Discomfort with vernacular school language/syllabus	Critical	General Rhetoric
Tuan Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Rahman	Kuala Krai	Academic freedom on vernacular school views	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji	Jelutong	Allocation for SJK(T) development	Advocacy	Budget Allocation

Executive Responses

Minister/Deputy	Portfolio	Response To	Verdict	Date
Puan Fadhlina binti Sidek	Minister of Education	New SJK(T) Heawood commencing operations	Commitment Made	13 March 2024
Puan Fadhlina binti Sidek	Minister of Education	Vernacular schools recognised under Education Act	Resolved	13 March 2024

Policy Signals

The Minister of Education, Puan Fadhlina binti Sidek, announced on 13 March 2024 that SJK(T) Heawood Perak is one of five new schools that commenced operations for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The Minister of Education, Puan Fadhlina binti Sidek, clarified on 13 March 2024 that vernacular schools are recognised under the Education Act to strengthen mother tongues and follow the Ministry of Education syllabus.
The First Supplementary Budget 2023/2024, which includes a RM1.9 billion allocation for the Ministry of Education, provides for salary adjustments for contract security and cleaning workers in all schools, including SJK(T)s, as noted on 19 March 2024.

What to Watch

Teacher Recruitment Strategy: SJK(T) school boards and PTA leaders should engage with the Ministry of Education to understand the specific plans and timelines for addressing the 168 teacher vacancies in Tamil schools, ensuring qualified educators are deployed promptly.
Project Completion and Expediting: Stakeholders, particularly in Sungai Siput, should follow up with the Ministry of Education on the status of long-delayed SJK(T) construction projects and press for the expedited completion of EOT (Extension of Time) and DOA (Defect of Authority) processes for schools like SJK(T) Sungai Reyla.
Budgetary Transparency for SJK(T)s: While the supplementary budget includes general allocations, school management committees should continue to advocate for greater transparency and specific breakdowns of funds designated for SJK(T) development, maintenance, and operational needs.