GEORGE TOWN: All 527 Tamil schools nationwide will benefit from the Federal Government’s higher RM50mil maintenance allocation, with funding to be distributed based on need.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the ministry is finalising allocations based on applications from the schools.
“We will not simply divide the funds equally because some schools are much larger than others.
“The procurement and distribution process will be carried out within the next one to two months. We have consulted the schools and identified the furniture and equipment they require,” he said after handing over the approval letter for a new building for SJK(T) Rajaji here yesterday.
Wong said the RM50mil maintenance allocation was an increase from RM20mil previously, adding that the amount matched the allocation provided during the Pakatan Harapan administration in 2018 and 2019.
Penang received RM1.156mil to replace ageing furniture and provide equipment for pupils and teachers at all 22 government-aided Tamil schools in the state.
The allocation was provided through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit under the Human Resources Ministry.
He also announced approval for SJK(T) Rajaji to relocate to a new site, ending years of uncertainty for the 76-year-old school.
The school, which has about 100 pupils, will move to a 0.93ha site in Bandar Baru Air Itam, about 500m from its current location.
Wong said the RM8mil project would be fully funded by property developer Ideal Construction.
“If construction proceeds according to schedule and is completed within 18 months, we expect the school to begin operating at its new premises by the 2029 school session at the latest,” he added.
State Tamil schools special committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the state government aimed to ensure every Tamil school in Penang owned its land within the next few years.
He said land had been secured and registered for five schools since the current committee took over three years ago, while efforts are under way for another five.
“Our goal is to ensure every Tamil school in Penang has its own land. We believe we can achieve this within the next two to three years,” he said.
He also said groundbreaking ceremonies had been planned for at least three Tamil school projects this year, with work also set to resume on two long-delayed projects at SJK(T) Sungai Bakap and SJK(T) Juru.
