KUALA LUMPUR – Efforts to uplift students in Tamil vernacular schools received renewed focus as Deputy Minister of National Unity, Yuneswaran Ramaraj stepped up engagement with education stakeholders to drive more inclusive development.
Yuneswaran said mastery of both Bahasa Melayu and English must be strengthened among students in Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) to ensure they are better equipped for future opportunities.
He said this following a meeting with the Malaysian SJKT Headmasters’ Association led by its president Palany Suppiah, along with Kuala Lumpur SJKT Headmasters’ Association representative Chandrasekharan Ramaya.
According to him, the discussion centred on key areas affecting SJKT students, including language proficiency, school infrastructure and access to digital education resources.
“We want to ensure SJKT students are not left behind in any aspect, especially in language mastery which remains a critical tool for social mobility and national integration,” he said.
In a move to translate discussions into action, Yuneswaran proposed the establishment of a special task force to monitor and ensure government initiatives effectively reach SJKT students nationwide.
“This is not just about policy on paper. We need a structured mechanism to ensure every programme truly benefits students at the ground level,” he said.
He also suggested forming a dedicated sports committee to identify and nurture young talent from SJKT, opening pathways for students to excel beyond academics.
“There is immense untapped potential among these students. With the right support system, we can guide them to achieve excellence, whether in academics, sports or other fields,” he added.
Yuneswaran stressed that equal opportunity in education must remain a priority regardless of school stream.
“Every child in Malaysia deserves a fair chance to grow, succeed and contribute to the nation. That principle must guide all our efforts,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of National Unity will continue playing a proactive role in supporting initiatives that strengthen education, community development and national cohesion. -MalayaDailyToday
