Parliamentarians discussed allocations for SJK(T) and the broader Indian community. Concerns were raised about the quality of laptops supplied to Tamil schools.
Allocations for Tamil Schools and Indian Community
Unidentified MP — The MP detailed 2024 spending for the Indian community, totaling RM98.9 million benefiting 122,082 individuals. Specific allocations included RM2.99 million for 6,000 laptops for SJK(T) and RM218,306 for a STEM literacy screening program for SJK(T) students. Other aid covered early education subsidies, B40 higher education, dialysis, and entrepreneurship programs.
Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Tambun — The Prime Minister highlighted additional allocations beyond MITRA, coordinated across various ministries. He mentioned RM37.16 million for entrepreneurship and career development, RM3 million for stock market training, and RM3 million for TVET training in China for 500 Indian youths. Within the MITRA context, education was a key focus, with RM698,227 allocated for STEM literacy, specifically for Science Bulletins in Tamil and English for SJK(T). He also noted subsidies for early private kindergarten and higher education for B40 Indian students.
Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Tambun — The Prime Minister clarified that the RM100 million for MITRA was not the sole allocation, with hundreds of millions more from other ministries. For 2025, 60% of allocations have been approved, including RM10 million for kindergartens, RM20 million for IPT subsidies, and RM698,000 for STEM literacy, which targets education including SJK(T) and the poor. He emphasized the need for better information coordination across ministries regarding these programs.
Itu juga tidak benar kerana pada tahun 2024, dari RM100 juta, kita telah belanja RM98.9 juta yang memberi manfaat kepada 122,082 masyarakat India. Kemudian untuk bantuan yang berikut ialah subsidi pendidikan awal, 9.32 juta. Bantuan pengajian tinggi IPT B40 - 17.63 juta, ini tahun 2024. Bantuan komputer riba untuk SJK(T), 2.99 juta yang melibatkan 6,000 unit komputer secara berperingkat. Program pemeriksaan literasi STEM untuk murid SJK(T) tahun 2024, 218 juta — maaf, RM218,306.
Kemudian literasi STEM, RM698,227 juta, iaitu Buletin Sains dalam bahasa Tamil dan bahasa Inggeris, 525 – SJK(T).
Now, peruntukan untuk tahun 2025, 60 peratus sudah diluluskan tapi kelulusannya itu tidak melalui hanya persatuan-persatuan. Jadi, saya dah beritahu kepada MITRA, kita perkemaskan. Kalau untuk sekolah, sepertimana kita sebut tadi, tadika 10 juta diluluskan. Subsidi IPT, 20 juta. Literasi STEM, 698,000 dan ini tumpuannya pendidikan termasuk SJK(T) dan rakyat miskin.
Quality of Laptops for Tamil Schools
Tuan Ganabatirau a/l Veraman, Kota Raja — The MP raised concerns about the quality of laptops supplied to Tamil schools. He stated that many of these laptops were reportedly secondhand and unusable. He urged the government to address these issues, emphasizing that his feedback aimed to support the government's progress rather than criticize its efforts.
Dalam satu lagi isu, adalah komputer riba yang dibekalkan kepada sekolah-sekolah Tamil. Saya difahamkan kebanyakan tidak boleh diguna disebabkan secondhand. So, isu-isu ini timbul secara mendadak dan ramai yang datang mengadu kepada pihak seperti saya.
The parliamentary discussions underscore the government's commitment to funding SJK(T) and the Indian community, while also highlighting the need for effective program implementation and quality assurance for resources provided to schools.