MIC opposes proposed cut in teaching hours for Tamil

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has opposed the Malaysian Education Ministry's proposal to reduce the weekly teaching hours of Tamil in vernacular schools from 12 to 10 hours. MIC deputy president M Saravanan emphasized the importance of Tamil as a language that encompasses history, moral values, and philosophy that shape a student's character.

Saravanan argued that the time allocated for Tamil lessons must not be cut to make room for a new subject or module. The proposed policy, which will also apply to Mandarin lessons at Chinese-type schools, is part of the 2027 national curriculum that includes a character-building module. Saravanan suggested integrating the module into existing Moral Education periods instead of reducing Tamil teaching hours.

MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng criticized Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh for the plan, accusing him of not safeguarding the interests of Chinese national-type schools. Wong later clarified that school heads retain discretion to add teaching periods.

Brief written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.