ID :
47275
Tue, 02/24/2009 - 11:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/47275
The shortlink copeid
FAST TRACK FOR AID TO REPAIR AND REBUILD TAMIL SCHOOLS
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The government will put on fast track its plans to repair and rebuild dilapidated Tamil schools in the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday that the Public Works
Department had been allocated RM50 million (US$13.6 million) for this purpose
under the economic stimulus package tabled in the Lower House of Parliament on
Nov 4 last year and work to repair these schools would begin soon.
"The list of schools which needs to be repaired or rebuilt has been
finalised. They must start work soon. They must also report back to the cabinet
committee on Indian affairs on the work done," he told reporters after chairing
the committee's meeting at the Parliament house.
He also said that the government was still in the process of turning
selected partially aided Tamil schools into fully aided ones.
"The Education Ministry will set up a small unit for this purpose. They
need to review the whole thing...it is in the process," he added.
He said the government had also asked for estimates to assist in building
four Tamil schools, which had their foundations erected but did not have funds
to construct the buildings.
In the stimulus package, the government also announced that RM20 million
(US$5.4 million) had been set aside to train and retrain the Indian youth on
skills.
"The Human Resources Ministry has identified certain courses for them. The
courses will be conducted at private skills training colleges. The youth will
be paid allowances and at the same time learn a new skill.
"This is done to transform the youth from rural areas who have migrated to
urban areas. Skills that will be taught to them are skills like those for chefs,
hair stylists, aircraft maintenence techicians...this is for them to gain
employment. Those aged 18 years to 40 years can apply for this," said Najib, who
is also Finance Minister.
The government would also work to increase Indian participation in the civil
service, he said.
Presently, Indians constitute 4.1 per cent of the civil service and the
government wants this increased to 7.1 per cent to reflect the racial
composition of the nation.
"But in doing so, we will not set aside the meritocracy principles," said
Najib.
The cabinet committee Monday also agreed that Indian students who excelled
in their studies be given Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships.
"There was also a request that more be set aside under the micro credit
scheme to give out loans to small businesses. This might be done at the tabling
of the mini budget or the second economic stimulus package in March," he said.
He said other issues like increasing the equity participation of Indians in
the country's economy would need time to be implemented.
-- BERNAMA
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday that the Public Works
Department had been allocated RM50 million (US$13.6 million) for this purpose
under the economic stimulus package tabled in the Lower House of Parliament on
Nov 4 last year and work to repair these schools would begin soon.
"The list of schools which needs to be repaired or rebuilt has been
finalised. They must start work soon. They must also report back to the cabinet
committee on Indian affairs on the work done," he told reporters after chairing
the committee's meeting at the Parliament house.
He also said that the government was still in the process of turning
selected partially aided Tamil schools into fully aided ones.
"The Education Ministry will set up a small unit for this purpose. They
need to review the whole thing...it is in the process," he added.
He said the government had also asked for estimates to assist in building
four Tamil schools, which had their foundations erected but did not have funds
to construct the buildings.
In the stimulus package, the government also announced that RM20 million
(US$5.4 million) had been set aside to train and retrain the Indian youth on
skills.
"The Human Resources Ministry has identified certain courses for them. The
courses will be conducted at private skills training colleges. The youth will
be paid allowances and at the same time learn a new skill.
"This is done to transform the youth from rural areas who have migrated to
urban areas. Skills that will be taught to them are skills like those for chefs,
hair stylists, aircraft maintenence techicians...this is for them to gain
employment. Those aged 18 years to 40 years can apply for this," said Najib, who
is also Finance Minister.
The government would also work to increase Indian participation in the civil
service, he said.
Presently, Indians constitute 4.1 per cent of the civil service and the
government wants this increased to 7.1 per cent to reflect the racial
composition of the nation.
"But in doing so, we will not set aside the meritocracy principles," said
Najib.
The cabinet committee Monday also agreed that Indian students who excelled
in their studies be given Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships.
"There was also a request that more be set aside under the micro credit
scheme to give out loans to small businesses. This might be done at the tabling
of the mini budget or the second economic stimulus package in March," he said.
He said other issues like increasing the equity participation of Indians in
the country's economy would need time to be implemented.
-- BERNAMA
