Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin reminded government school managements to not to collect fees, including examination and co-curriculum fees, which have been abolished under the 2012 Budget.
He said the government had allocated RM150 million to absorb these fees.
“The government will take over the cost for the examination, examination papers, co-curriculum fees and so on.
“We hope that the move will help ease the burden borne by parents in sending their children to school,” he said at the reception for top-scorers of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination hosted by Tamil newspaper, Malaysia Nanban.
A total of 185 Indian students who scored well in the SPM and obtained A in Tamil language, were feted at the event.
Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, expressed the hope of seeing national-type Tamil schools continue to excel and to be on par with national schools and national-type Chinese schools.
“Education is the most important platform to create knowledgeable human capital, which will determine the country’s future.
“In this respect, we give equal attention to all races in providing access to education,” he said, adding that of the 10,000 schools nationwide, over 500 are Tamil schools.
Muhyiddin also said that the ministry would look into the suggestion raised by Shafee Zaman who in his welcoming speech earlier suggested that Tamil language be made a must-pass subject for Indian students at the SPM examination.
– Bernama
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