GEORGE TOWN: The RM50mil allocation for the maintenance of Tamil national-type schools (SJKT) nationwide, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is expected to benefit 28 SJKTs in Penang.
Penang Tamil Schools Special Committee Chairman, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said that the funds will be distributed according to the actual needs of the schools.
However, in line with state practice since 2008, the aid will not be provided in the form of cash.
"In addition to the allocations provided by the state government, federal government funds will be used to upgrade infrastructure, learning facilities, and student development programmes, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes and robotics classes.
"The Penang State Government channeled RM2.42mil for 2025 to assist SJKTs, covering classroom upgrades with new whiteboards, smart boards, smart televisions, and other digital facilities," he told reporters after the Appreciation Ceremony for Malaysian Student Winners at the World Robot Games (WRG) 2025, officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow here on Tuesday (Jan 6).
Sundarajoo, who is also the state Housing and Environment Exco, expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his concern for SJKTs by providing RM50mil for maintenance this year, compared to RM30mil last year.
On Monday (Jan 5), while delivering his New Year message at the Prime Minister Department’s monthly assembly, Anwar announced that the government agreed to increase the allocation for National-Type Chinese Schools (SJKC) to RM80mil (up from RM50mil last year) and allocated RM50mil for SJKTs.
Meanwhile, Chow Kon Yeow, who welcomed the announcement, said the increase is highly significant, especially for vernacular schools that have long required assistance to upgrade basic facilities and improve learning environments.
"From Penang’s experience since 2008, we found that SJKTs certainly require continuous funding to upgrade basic facilities, equipment, furniture, as well as teaching and learning materials," he said.
Chow explained that since Penang began channeling allocations to SJKTs nearly two decades ago, most of these schools have successfully upgraded their facilities; however, issues such as land ownership status still arise.
At the same time, he emphasised that the allocation for SJKTs carries a deeper meaning for the Indian community, as it serves as a form of recognition for the role and contribution of Tamil schools within the national education system.
Earlier, Chow celebrated 24 students from SJKTs under the guidance of Syscore Academy, who secured over 80 medals across nine major categories at WRG 2025, held in Taipei, Taiwan, from November 25 to December 1 last year.
WRG is one of the world's largest robotics and STEM platforms, bringing together over 1,000 participants from 10 countries, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. — Bernama
