Govt allocates RM20.8mil for Indian students via Mitra initiatives

PETALING JAYA: The government has allocated RM20.8 million under two initiatives to improve learning opportunities for the Indian community, which are expected to benefit more than 50,000 students nationwide.

Human resources minister R Ramanan said the Perabot Madani and Kalvi Madani initiatives, implemented through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), reflect the government’s long-term commitment to ensuring Indian students are not left behind.

Speaking at the national launch of both programmes at SJK(T) Jalan Yahya Awal in Johor Bahru today, Ramanan said Perabot Madani would receive RM12.8 million to provide furniture and educational facilities to 361 government-aided Tamil schools nationwide.

The initiative is expected to benefit 39,692 students and 5,290 teachers through the provision of desks, chairs, teachers’ room furniture, whiteboards, canteen equipment and computer laboratory furnishings.

“Quality education must begin with a quality learning environment. We want to create a more conducive school atmosphere where students can learn comfortably and teachers can teach more effectively,” he was quoted as saying in a statement today.

The RM8 million Kalvi Madani programme, to be rolled out in 315 selected Tamil schools for about 10,410 students from B40 families, will provide free tuition classes in Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics and Science, as well as nutritional assistance, learning kits and digital devices for participating schools.

Ramanan said Kalvi Madani, which targets pupils in Years 4 to 6, would also fund allowances for programme coordinators and teaching personnel involved in the initiative.

“Education is the foundation of quality human capital development. The government will continue to ensure that the Indian community has access to better educational opportunities through initiatives that are inclusive, sustainable and of high impact.”

Ramanan said investments in education remained one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and develop a generation of skilled and competitive young people capable of contributing to the country’s future.