Proper financial controls should be put in place to monitor the use of government funds allocated for Tamil schools, said Tamil Foundation president K Uthayasoorian.

He said experience had taught him that “all the promises (of the past) were just publicity stunts”.

“We want to see some value. We would prefer a policy decision on how the money is going to be used to upgrade the schools, as we never know where the money goes,” he claimed when contacted.

“The government should form a committee to monitor the disbursement and at the same time ensure that there is transparency in spending.”

He was commenting on the announcement by Finance Minister and deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak in Parliament on Tuesday, that RM200 million will be distributed equally to fully-aided religious schools, mission schools, Chinese schools and Tamil schools.

“The RM50 million is a good amount and should be sufficient for Tamil schools although it has come late,” said Uthayasoorian.

“Preferably we would like to see this amount being used to convert all partially-aided schools to fully-aided Tamil schools as this would eliminate problems related to private funding, repair works and so on,” Uthayasoorian added.

Others involved in education also commented on the provision, which was announced as part of RM7 billion stimulus package to prop up the economy, in view of impending global recession.

Hashim Adnan, president, National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP)

It is high time that the government gives assistance to all schools, instead of limiting this to national-type schools.

We welcome the RM200 million allocation. The amount may be insufficient, but it is a good start by the government.

After all the Chinese, Indian and missionary and religious schools have Malaysian children studying there. They should now be given the same (financial) support as national-type schools.

This will provide everyone with an equal opportunity to gain quality education. The government must remember that an investment in education is an investment in the future, as pupils will become future leaders and contribute back to society.

In the past, these schools depended on donations in cash and kind to survive. This was why pupils studied in an inadequate environment, (having to put up) with broken-down furniture and leaking roofs. I hope this will be a thing of the past for the schools.

I hope that the funds would be channeled appropriately to the schools and not be hijacked by unscrupulous bureaucrats or politicians. After all this is for the benefit of our children. It is hoped that the Chinese and Indian students will not feel that (their needs) have been left out.

I hope the amount will be increased by the government, so that all schools benefit. This should not be a one-off thing.

Yap Sin Tian, president, Dong Zhong (United Chinese School Committees Association)

At present, only about 890 Chinese vernacular schools receive assistance, as they are classified as government-aided schools.

In reality, there are close to 1,300 such schools nationwide, so Dong Zhong is worried that the rest of the schools will not get aid.

The annual financial aid of RM50,000 given to the selected schools is insufficient. Every year, the school administrators have to raise more funds.

With the global economic downturn, many people may not be willing to contribute to the school fund. So, we hope the government can increase the allocation for education in the 10th Malaysia Plan.