Education Ministry to tackle shortage of pupils in Tamil primary schools

IPOH: The Education Ministry will meet state Education Departments to discuss the lack of pupils in Tamil primary schools located in estates, says Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying (pic).

She said the discussion would involve finding short- and long-term solutions.

“We need to find a way to solve the problem. If not, we might have to close the schools because they don’t have enough pupils,” she told reporters after opening SJKT Gunung Rapat here on Friday (Feb 24).

In September, former deputy education minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said there were more than 3,000 primary schools with fewer than 150 students each.

Of that number, 367 are Tamil primary schools

On the newly-opened school, Lim said it has six classrooms and eight special rooms.

“Construction started in 2016 but was delayed by unforeseen circumstances.

“I am glad that the building has been completed and we expect at least 200 pupils to attend school here,” she added.