GEORGE TOWN, June 15 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Rajaji here will receive a new RM8 million school building after the Education Ministry (MoE) approved the construction of the project at a new site in Farlim, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the project would give a fresh start to the 76-year-old school, which has been operating in cramped conditions and is no longer able to adequately accommodate its approximately 100 pupils.
He said construction is expected to take 18 months to complete, with the school slated to begin operations at the new site by the 2029 academic session at the latest.
“In 2022, the Penang government approved a 2.3-acre plot of land in Farlim, about 500 metres from the current site, for the relocation of the school.
“The Education Ministry received an application from the school's board of governors last year and approved the relocation after all related issues were resolved with the local authorities,” he told reporters after presenting the approval letter for the construction of the new SJKT Rajaji building here today.
Also present was State Housing and Environment Committee chairman and Penang Tamil Schools Special Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.
Wong said the project would be fully funded by a developer under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, reflecting cooperation between the public and private sectors in supporting educational development.
Meanwhile, Sundarajoo said Penang has 28 Tamil national-type schools, several of which are undergoing development efforts, including securing permanent sites and implementing new projects in stages.
He said groundbreaking ceremonies for at least three SJKT projects are expected to take place this year, while several others, including those involving SJKT Sungai Bakap and SJKT Juru, are being revived.
“This is a significant development as it reflects ongoing efforts to ensure Tamil schools in Penang have better facilities without placing a financial burden on the state government,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
