3rd Meeting 2024

14 October 2024 – 12 December 2024

Parliament Debates Future of Tamil Schools Amidst Funding Pledges and Relocation Plans

Discussions surrounding Tamil schools SJK(T) in the Dewan Rakyat during the Third Meeting saw a significant focus on infrastructure development, funding transparency, and the critical issue of under-enrolled schools. While the Prime Minister announced substantial allocations for school maintenance, including SJK(T)s, MPs pressed for specific breakdowns and questioned the government's long-term strategy for sustaining these institutions, particularly those facing low enrolment and delayed projects. The Ministry of Education indicated ongoing engagement with NGOs regarding the relocation of unsustainable SJK(T)s, signalling potential policy shifts.

Key Findings

The Prime Minister announced a record RM64.1 billion budget for the Ministry of Education, including RM2 billion for nationwide school upgrades and maintenance, and RM1 billion specifically for dilapidated classrooms across all school types, with Tamil schools mentioned as beneficiaries.
The abandoned SJK(T) Sungai Bakap construction project, highlighted as delayed for 15 years, became a focal point, with the Deputy Minister of Education clarifying that the project was implemented by the school board, not the Ministry or JKR.
Concerns were raised about the transparency of the RM1 billion maintenance aid distribution, with MPs urging the Ministry of Education to specify allocation amounts for each school type, including SJK(T)s.
The Ministry of Education acknowledged that 383 SJK(T)s are low-enrolment schools (one of 154 under-enrolled SJK(T)s nationwide are fewer than 150 students, but 383 is a much higher number, indicating a different definition or more critical situation), confirming active discussions with NGOs and the Tamil Foundation on relocation strategies for unsustainable schools.
As of 2024, 271 of the 528 SJK(T)s nationwide have preschool facilities, with 65% (177 schools) having only one preschool class, falling short of the Ministry of Education's ideal standard of 25 students per class.

MP Scorecard

MP Name	Constituency	Topic	Stance	Impact
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji	Jelutong	Abandoned SJK(T) Sungai Bakap project	Inquiry	Localised Issue
Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong	Ayer Hitam	Transparency of SJK(T) maintenance aid	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Tuan Suhaizan bin Kaiat	Pulai	Funding for SJK(T) Ladang Sembrong construction	Advocacy	Localised Issue
Tuan Prabakaran a/l M Parameswaran	Batu	Insufficient SJK(T) preschool facilities	Advocacy	General Rhetoric
Tuan Ganabatirau a/l Veraman	Klang	Dedicated funding for SJK(T) repairs	Advocacy	Budget Allocation
Tuan Cha Kee Chin	Rasah	Transparency of school maintenance allocations	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Puan Hajah Salamiah binti Mohd Nor	Temerloh	Impact of low enrolment on SJK(T)s	Critical	Localised Issue
Tuan Yuneswaran a/l Ramaraj	Segamat	Relocation of SJK(T) Ladang Sungai Muar	Advocacy	Localised Issue
Dato’ Adnan bin Abu Hassan	Kuala Pilah	Construction of new SJK(T)	Advocacy	Localised Issue
Tuan Haji Abdul Latiff bin Abdul Rahman	Kuala Krai	Aid for SJK(T) with low enrolment	Advocacy	Localised Issue
Datuk Wan Saifulruddin bin Wan Jan	Tasek Gelugor	Dilapidated SJK(T)s and maintenance funds	Inquiry	General Rhetoric
Dato’ Haji Shamshulkahar bin Mohd Deli	Jempol	Completion of SJK(T) St. Helier building	Advocacy	Localised Issue

Executive Responses

Minister/Deputy	Portfolio	Response To	Verdict	Date
Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim	Prime Minister	Budget allocation for school maintenance	Commitment Made	18 October 2024
Tuan Wong Kah Woh	Deputy Minister of Education	SJK(T) Sungai Bakap project implementation	Deflected	15 October 2024
Tuan Wong Kah Woh	Deputy Minister of Education	Relocation of under-enrolled SJK(T)s	Commitment Made	20 November 2024
Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan	Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives	Aid for SJK(T) Ladang Pasir Gajah	Resolved	13 November 2024

Policy Signals

The Prime Minister announced a RM1 billion allocation for dilapidated classrooms across all school types, including SJK(T)s, for the second consecutive year, as part of a broader RM2 billion allocation for school upgrades and maintenance.
The Ministry of Education confirmed active discussions with NGOs and the Tamil Foundation to develop an approach for relocating unsustainable SJK(T) schools, particularly those in remote areas or facing land issues, to areas with higher population density to increase enrolment.
The Ministry of Education is exploring ways to ensure sufficient teacher candidates for all school types, including SJK(T)s, to prevent vacancies, following a report of 97.69% teacher placement in SJK(T)s in Negeri Sembilan.

What to Watch

Transparency of Budget Distribution: SJK(T) school boards and PTA leaders should actively request detailed breakdowns from the Ministry of Education regarding the RM1 billion allocation for dilapidated schools and the RM2 billion for upgrades, ensuring their schools receive equitable and transparent funding.
Progress on SJK(T) Relocation Policy: Community stakeholders, particularly in areas with under-enrolled SJK(T)s (383 schools identified as low-enrolment), should monitor the Ministry of Education's engagement with NGOs and the Tamil Foundation, advocating for clear timelines and transparent criteria for any proposed school relocations.
Follow-up on Delayed Projects: School management committees for projects like SJK(T) Sungai Bakap and SJK(T) Ladang Sungai Muar should continue to press their respective MPs and the Ministry of Education for specific action plans and phased allocations to resolve long-standing delays.