{
  "id": 5930554,
  "title": "No SJKT will be closed, assures Fadhlina",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/no-sjkt-will-be-closed-assures-fadhlina",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T07:10:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1526895/no-sjkt-will-be-closed-assures-fadhlina"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek has assured that no national-type Tamil school (SJKT) will be closed down. She made the statement to dispel persistent misperceptions in the community that certain SJKTs would be shut down. The Madani government, under her leadership, promises to support all schools for development, maintenance, and programs to strengthen teachers and students.\n\nFadhlina highlighted the importance of the new RM12.6 million SJKT Sungai Bakap school building. The 56-week project, carried out by Yayasan Didik Negara (YDN) with oversight from the Penang State Education Department, aims to comprehensively meet the needs of local children. Fadhlina expressed gratitude for the support of parents, teachers, and community leaders in the project.\n\nThe chairman of the Penang Special Committee on Tamil Schools, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, explained that the construction had faced delays due to land matters, contractor issues, and court cases. These issues have now been resolved. The new building, which currently houses over 100 pupils, is urgently needed as the existing structure is dilapidated. Sundarajoo, who is also the state Housing and Environment Committee chairman, noted that development is targeted for completion within 56 weeks. Foundation work, a time-intensive aspect, has already begun, followed by the main structure. The state government aims to construct three SJKT buildings this year, with SJKT Juru's construction expected to commence before the year's end.",
  "summary": "NIBONG TEBAL: No national-type Tamil school (SJKT) will be closed down, with all such schools continuing to receive support for development, maintenance and programmes to strengthen teachers and students.",
  "key_points": [
    "No national-type Tamil schools (SJKT) will be closed, assures Fadhlina",
    "RM12.6 million allocated for new SJKT Sungai Bakap building",
    "Project completed within 56 weeks, addressing dilapidated existing structure"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The assurance that no SJKT will be closed marks a significant commitment from the Education Minister to maintain and support these schools, boosting stability for students and the community.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Tiada SJKT akan ditutup, tegas Fadhlina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/tiada-sjkt-akan-ditutup-tegas-fadhlina",
        "published": "2026-09-06T08:06:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}