Penang to propose establishment of Tamil vernacular secondary schools

BUTTERWORTH: Penang will propose that Tamil vernacular secondary schools and Hindu Endowment Boards be set up in states where there are a sizeable number of Indians.
Deputy Chief Minister II Prof. Dr P. Ramasamy said he will make an initiative to meet the newly-appointed Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik to discuss the matter of vernacular secondary schools.
"I will also discuss with the newly-appointed Indian ministers in the cabinet and other Indian representatives in Pakatan Harapan to make it a reality.
"Since last term we have been talking about this matter, former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has sent two letters to the Education Ministry.
"But, the ministry in its reply refused the proposal, saying that under the Education Act, there is no provision to create such schools," he said.
Ramasamy, the third term Prai assemblyman, said this during a thanksgiving speech at the Jalan Baru Muniswaran Temple in Prai on Friday night.
The temple organised the event following Pakatan's victory in the 14th General Election.
Also present were first-term Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees and Penang police chief Datuk A. Thaiveegan.
He added the state had in the letter to the ministry stated that it had a piece of land for the proposed secondary school.
He said he would also make initiatives to form Hindu Endowment Boards in Pakatan held states, as it would make it easier to address the issues afflicting the community.
Ramasamy pointed out that the Penang Hindu Endowment Board has through its track record proved to be the best system to administer the Hindu temples.