MIC has opposed an education ministry proposal to reduce the time given to Tamil lessons in Tamil national-type schools, saying the language is vital to students’ intellect, emotions and identity.
Under the proposal, the minimum weekly teaching time for Tamil would be cut from 12 periods to 10 to make room for a Character Building module under the 2027 national curriculum. The same change is proposed for Mandarin lessons in Chinese national-type schools.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan said Tamil is more than a language, as it carries the history, moral values and philosophy that shape a person’s character. “The time allocated for Tamil lessons must not be cut to make room for a new subject or module,” he said, urging the ministry to keep the existing 12 periods a week.
Saravanan said he supported the proposed Character Building module, but suggested it be folded into existing Moral Education periods instead.
On Wednesday, MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng criticised deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh, saying he had failed to protect the interests of Chinese national-type schools. Wong has since said that school heads retain the discretion to add teaching periods.
Update: The education ministry later said Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and Tamil will all keep 12 periods a week under the 2027 curriculum.