Malaysia govt seeks to introduce Tamil language in schools

The government is looking into introducing Tamil language as an additional subject in secondary schools nationwide, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

According to the Prime Minister, he would forward the suggestion to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

He said the move is in line with the Constitution that ensures such rights to all citizens.

“It has been our national education policy all along that the Malay language is the main medium of instruction. However, we must promote the use of the English language so that proficiency among students can be assured.

“At the same time, we must also allow and encourage students, in this case Tamil students, to continue to master the language in secondary schools,” he said in his keynote address during the International Tamil Research Conference in Universiti Malaya here on Saturday (July 22).

Anwar said a review of the suggestion is ongoing and various concerns have been raised by stakeholders.

Among others, he said the concerns raised was on employing educators for the subject.

“When there are fewer students, it’s difficult to employ teachers. However, I will alert Fadhlina and make the necessary adjustments.”

At the same time, the Prime Minister announced an allocation of RM1mil for the International Tamil Research Conference.

“In this age, mastery of languages is important. The old mindset of some Malaysians would be against efforts to promote other languages in secondary schools.

“They tend to ignore the fact that the mastery of a third or fourth language is important.”

Source: The Star