KUALA LUMPUR – Declining enrolment has often been cited as one of the root causes of issues surrounding Tamil vernacular schools, so much so that the government has pledged over the years to relocate them to areas with higher Indian populations.
Educationist and researcher Kumaravalu Ramasamy agreed with the move, and said Tamil schools in rural areas should be relocated to urban centres, with improvements made to school leadership, teachers’ skills, and parent and community engagement.
“Tamil schools will be able to boost their enrolment by relocating to areas with substantial Indian student populations. There are 170 Tamil schools in rural areas on private or estate lands. Those in estates may only have an enrolment of fewer than 30 students,” said Kumaravalu, who was a senior lecturer at Institut Aminuddin Baki.
He said most estate plots have been sold, resulting in smaller communities living there.
“Today, 90% of the Tamil student population are in towns and suburban areas. So if we relocate those 170 schools, they will see their enrolments grow, such as in the case of SJKT Bandar Sri Sendayan.
“This is also to ensure their enrolment meets the requirements of regular schools to avoid closure. Of course, this requires initiative by the government.”
He said the cost of land in towns is a major roadblock to relocation, and rebuilding a school could amount to RM20 million.
“It is challenging for individuals or the community to fund a relocation, so it is up to the government to take the initiative to preserve Tamil schools by providing land and funds, for a start.”
Success of SJKT Bandar Sri Sendayan
Before its relocation, the 90-year-old SJKT Ladang Bukit Bertam in Negri Sembilan was a dilapidated wooden building sitting in an oil palm plantation.
In 2017, a 2.4ha site was identified in the new township of Bandar Sri Sendayan for the school. By 2018, the renamed SJKT Bandar Sri Sendayan had a gleaming new building and was equipped with modern teaching facilities.
This was made possible by the parents, school’s board of governors and the state Education Department. When then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the school, he hailed it as the best Tamil school in the country.
Although the school had former deputy health minister Datuk K. Pathmanaban as an alumnus, it was in a sad state for many years – reportedly infested by termites and lacking a proper field, computer laboratory, and library.
Then parent-teacher association chairman D. Elangovan said the school’s enrolment dropped to 90, mainly due to families moving out of the estate.
The school finally got its relocation approved in November 2015, which spurred newly minted SJKT Bandar Sri Sendayan’s board of governors into action.
Board president Datuk N. Logendran and his team had a “future school” concept in mind, designed to develop student competency and competitiveness.
His deputy, M. Manoharan, said the concept included a purpose-built reading room and facilities for vocational education, and provided students the opportunity to explore their talents and potential.
Since then, principal Shanti Achudan has adopted the “no child left behind” concept as well.
“The school was built along the lines of an international school to include a state-of-the-art library, auditorium, counselling room, chess room, preschool and the latest tools to improve teaching and learning.
“The concept of ‘no child left behind’ is something close to my heart. Every child is important to us and we want to ensure every child acquires the skills taught in school.
“We try to have our students join international competitions for science, mathematics, and English. We also have a different approach for slow learners, including autistic children and those with health issues. For example, we have daily yoga classes, even though we have moved this online during the pandemic.
“Some 70% of my students cannot speak Tamil, but their parents chose this school as they realise the value of their mother tongue and the importance of maintaining our culture for future generations.”
Reopening of SJKT Ladang Seafield in December
When the government decided to redevelop the land that SJKT Ladang Seafield sat on in Subang Jaya, the school had a shot at getting relocated.
Soon, a 2ha site was identified in Putra Heights, and it is expected to reopen in December.
Krishnan Annamalai, a school board member for more than 15 years, said enrolment was not positive before the school was approved for relocation.
“The school was founded in 1921 and enrolment dropped tremendously to only double digits over the years. When we were told that we were approved for relocation, we fought to retain the school’s name.
“The new school will be able to accommodate 500 students and I hope the new facilities will encourage parents to register their children here.” – The Vibes, September 22, 2021
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