CLOSE DOWN ALL TAMIL SCHOOLS ???

Recent figures released by police on the increasing number of Indians involved in gangsterism is a cause for concern.While many has commented on the issue and some even blaming government for not helping and taking action, I hold MIC solely responsible for all the ills in the community.

After all, it is MIC who claims that they are the only party representing the Indian community.MIC leaders have been issuing one statement after another, outlining their strategies and proposed activities only after the issue of gangsterism among Indian youth was highlighted and widely debated in the media. What were they doing all the while?!One of the contributing factors leading Indian youth to gangsterism and other criminal activities is their inability to excel in education, particularly when they enter secondary school.

The new environment and being not conversant in Bahasa Malaysia which is the medium of teaching in secondary school have resulted in students dropping out after their PMR and SPM.The reason this happens is the poor quality of Tamil schools in the country. Most of the Tamil schools in the country are poorly managed, lack facilities and are helmed by substandard headmasters and teachers.Is there really a need for Tamil schools in the country?

What are the pros and cons of being Tamil-educated in this country?Indians may benefit if they are in Tamil Nadu but here in our country, the most one can achieve from being conversant in Tamil is to become a Tamil school teacher. Do Indian parents want this future for their children?I studied in a national school and learnt to read, write and communicate in Tamil without much problem. Isn't that enough?I believe most of the problems would be solved if we were to close all Tamil schools and have children enrolled in the national schools.

This will put them on par with students of other races and not disadvantaged due to poor command of Bahasa Malaysia.Tamil language can still be taught as an alternative but a compulsory subject and classes can be held while agama classes are being conducted for the Muslims. This measure will also help in our aspirations of seeing a united "Bangsa Malaysia" in the future.

MIC should stop pointing fingers and seriously think for the future generations of Indians in this country. It is not enough just to claim to be the only party representing the Indians.I ask Indians, especially those who are Tamil-educated, to come forward and support this view.