Malaysian educationists welcome proposal to increase Tamil schools

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian educationists and community leaders have reportedly welcomed the proposal to allot land for national-type schools in areas where the majority of residents are Chinese or Indians.

The Star quoted Dong Zong (United Chinese Schools Committees Association of Malaysia) chairman Dr Yap Sin Tian, as saying that although national and national-type schools are provided in the education policy, land reserved for schools are not specified for national-type schools.

“National-type schools should not only be built in new development areas but also in existing areas where there is still land reserved for schools,” he added.

Earlier, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had asked him to look into the possibility of providing land for Chinese or Tamil national-type primary schools in neighbourhoods with 3,000 to 7,500 houses.

Chor said he would be calling for a staff meeting soon to discuss the idea.

Meanwhile, Real Estate and Housing Developers Association secretary-general Ricque Liew said under mandatory planning requirements, developers are to set aside land for schools, one primary school for every 1,250 to 1,500 houses and one secondary school for every 3,000 houses.

“With this plan, the schools will move with the people,” he added. (ANI)