GEORGE TOWN, June 15 — The Penang government is working towards ensuring all 28 Tamil vernacular schools in the state eventually obtain ownership of their land, said State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.

The chairman of the state special committee for Tamil schools said the state is in the process of securing land for all Tamil schools in the state.

He said the committee, which has been in operation for the past three years, has already succeeded in obtaining five pieces of land for five schools, with another five expected to follow within the next two to three years.

“Our focus is very clear. First, we want all 28 Tamil schools in Penang to have their own land,” he said in a press conference after attending a handing over ceremony of an approval letter for the construction of a new building for SJKT Rajaji in Air Itam with deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh.

Sundarajoo said the state had recently allocated a 2.3-acre site for SJKT Rajaji’s relocation project, with the new school building to be constructed through a developer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) contribution.

“This means the school can be built without financial burden to the state government,” he said.

He said the Rajaji project is part of a broader push to accelerate Tamil school development in Penang, with at least three groundbreaking ceremonies expected to take place this year.

Sundarajoo also said the state would resume work on previously delayed projects, including schools in Sungai Bakap and Juru, both of which are classified as Tamil vernacular schools requiring redevelopment.

He described the developments as a significant milestone for Tamil education in Penang, noting that multiple projects are being advanced simultaneously for the first time under the special committee’s coordination.

“This year will be historic for Tamil schools in Penang because we are able to carry out groundbreaking for three schools within a single year,” he said.

In addition to land and construction efforts, Sundarajoo said the committee is also coordinating support for school infrastructure needs, including furniture such as chairs and desks, with assistance from federal initiatives led by Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA).

He said the combined efforts of state and federal agencies reflect a coordinated approach to improving Tamil school infrastructure across Penang, particularly for long-established schools facing ageing facilities and space constraints.

GEORGE TOWN, June 15 — The federal government has guaranteed that no vernacular schools will be closed under its administration, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said today.

He reaffirmed Putrajaya’s commitment to protect the existing Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools in Malaysia.

Wong said vernacular schools remain an important component of the national education system and dismissed long-standing concerns among communities over the fate of schools facing enrolment, land or infrastructure challenges.

“Under the Madani government, we guarantee that no school, whether a national school, SJKC or SJKT, will be closed,” he said in his speech after attending a handing over ceremony of an approval letter for the construction of a new building for SJKT Rajaji in Air Itam here.

He said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had repeatedly stressed since 2023 that vernacular schools are part of Malaysia’s education landscape and would continue to receive government support.

The deputy minister also announced that maintenance allocations for Tamil vernacular schools nationwide have been increased to RM50 million this year, more than double the annual allocations provided in recent years.

“The funding will benefit about 527 SJKTs nationwide,” he said adding that the Education Ministry is finalising the distribution of the allocations based on the schools’ individual needs and enrolment levels.

“We will not simply divide the allocation equally because some schools are larger, some are smaller, and their maintenance requirements differ,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said 22 government-aided SJKTs in Penang will receive furniture worth RM1.156 million through an initiative funded by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra).

On SJKT Rajaji, Wong officially handed over the ministry’s approval letter for the construction of the school’s new location in Farlim.

The 76-year-old school, which currently has about 100 pupils and 20 preschoolers, will relocate to a 2.3-acre site provided by the Penang state government.

He said construction is expected to cost about RM8 million and will be fully funded by a private developer.

The project is targeted for completion within 18 months, with the school expected to begin operating at its new premises by the 2029 academic session.

Wong said the approval reflected the government’s commitment to developing schools across all education streams, including national, Chinese vernacular and Tamil vernacular schools.

“Whether it is a national school, SJKC or SJKT, all are under the focus and radar of the Ministry of Education,” he said.