ATTEMPTS by the Education Ministry to prevent students from taking Tamil Literature as an SPM examination subject does not augur well and def-ies stipulations in The Razak Report of 1956 which forms the backbone of our education structure.

Moreover, the Constitution guarantees the rights of minority groups to teach and learn their language. Educationists are well aware of the importance of literature in language and attempts to do away with the subject is tantamount to denying Tamils their right to enrich their knowledge of the language.

The ministry should refrain from seeking lame excuses such as technical or administrative problems and ensure that minority groups are included in the mainstream of educational development.

Amara
Kuala Lumpur

Source: The Sun – November 26, 2009