I refer to the Malaysiakini report Tamil schools: Whose responsibility? MIC's or gov't's?

The debate about the responsibility for Tamil schools can continue indefinitely. However ultimately, the responsibility is with the Indian society.

Most of the urban, middle and upper income group of Indians neglect Tamil schools and this is the main dilemma of Tamil schools. Even many Tamil school teachers do not enroll their children in Tamil schools.

They’d rather enroll their children to national schools and there are even instances where Indian parents enroll their children in Chinese schools as well.

The common perception is that Tamil schools are for the children of the lower-income group and therefore it would not befit for people of the higher income groups to send their children there.

Tamil schools have become a sort of social stigma for its own community. The dilemma of Tamil schools can only be resolved if this stigma is removed.

This can only be achieved if Indians from the higher income groups and teachers of Tamil schools enroll their children in these schools. Leaders of the MIC as well should set the example by enrolling their children in Tamil schools school.

Therefore, rather than debating if Tamil schools are the responsibility of the government or the MIC, perhaps the Indian community should realise that the responsibility is theirs.

For example, most of the Chinese schools are funded by the Chinese community and these schools are well-equipped, well-organised and achieve excellence year in and year out.

They have the full support of their community and the Chinese never turn away from supporting their schools.

In conclusion, as long as the Indian community rate Tamil schools as second-class schools for second-class Indian, then there is no hope for the Tamil schools.