MOE Committed To Resolving Pending Tamil School Issues – Wong

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to resolving long-standing issues affecting Tamil national-type schools (SJKT), with a focus on new construction projects and infrastructure improvements over the past two years.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said among current priorities is the completion of SJKT Sungai Bakap in Penang, which has been delayed due to land and debt issues.

“Funding for the project has already been allocated and MOE is now focusing on completing the remaining processes so that construction can begin as soon as possible,” he told reporters after the Smart Board handover ceremony at SJKT Vivekananda, Brickfields, here today.

Also present at the event were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

Wong added that for SJKT Ladang Jeram in Kuantan, Pahang, the school site approval was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the 2026 Budget, with construction fully funded by the government under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Originally built with wood in 1952 by Jeram Estate Sdn Bhd, SJKT Ladang Jeram was demolished to make way for a housing project in the 1990s. Students have been attending classes in temporary cabins while awaiting the new school building.

The deputy minister said MOE’s ongoing commitment has also allowed several other long-standing SJKT issues to be resolved since last year, including SJKT Ladang Sagga in Rantau, Negeri Sembilan, and SJKT Ladang Sungai Reyla in Sungai Siput, Perak.

Earlier, Fadhlina reiterated the government’s assurance that no vernacular schools, including SJKT, will be closed, as guaranteed under the Education Act 1996.

“At MOE, we will continue to protect all schools and ensure quality education for all children,” she said.

-- BERNAMA