THE Penang state government will not be intimidated by malicious rumours surrounding the supply of tablets to Tamil schools in the state, said its deputy chief minister Ramasamy Palanisamy.
The Perai assemblyman is referring to the rumours that the state government is distributing low-quality tablets to students in Tamil schools in Penang, which he had described as “mischievous” and “harmful”.
“The pandemic has been especially harsh on primary school children, especially those with no guidance or from poor families,” Ramasamy remarked.
He also added that online learning meant affordability, and not many families in the B40 group could afford computers or tablets.
“During the pandemic, the Penang state government and the private sector have been taking efforts to supply computers and tablets either through the schools or directly to students.”
To date, Ramasamy noted that hundreds of computers and tablets have been given to students from B40 families in the state.
However, the problem did not stop there since plenty of other Tamil school students who had been badly affected by the pandemic were finding it difficult to buy computers or tablets to facilitate online learning.
“The Penang Tamil Schools Committee (PTSC) are fully aware of the problems faced by Tamil schools students in purchasing tabs or computers.”
“This was the reason why the PTSC made the decision to allocate RM200,000 to be used principally for the enhancement of online learning.
According to Ramasamy, it was left to the Tamil schools’ tender and procurement sub-committee to decide on the tender process, the number of devices to be purchased and the students from 28 Tamil schools in the state who will receive them – with input from Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), among others.
“Out of the participation of six companies, two companies were selected on the basis of price and quality of the product to supply 500 tablets to the schools.
“The total cost came up to RM212,500 – RM200,000 from the state allocation to Tamil schools and RM12,500 from the special contingency fund for the Tamil schools.”
The funds will then be allocated to the PTA of respective Tamil schools and they in turn will pay the vendors.
The tablets will be loaned to students with the prospect that they will have the option to purchase them later at a nominal price.
No low-quality tablets
On the issue of low-quality tablets, Ramasamy stressed that the matter has not been broached as the tablets have been purchased and distributed throughout the country.
“Rumours that the Penang state government is distributing low-quality tablets to Tamil school students is mischievous and harmful,” he insisted.
“These rumours are basically intended to prevent the state government from assisting the children coming from B40 families. The tablets of the same brand are not issued to students in national and Chinese schools. Why is it a problem to the poor Tamil schools children?
“Do these selfish people intend to sabotage the efforts of the state government just because some preferred company or companies failed to get the tender?
“The Penang state government would not be intimidated by these threats or intimidation.”
Ramasamy went on to assure that the state’s efforts in equipping needy students with relevant devices for online learning will not cease simply because “selfish and greedy people want to stall the process”.
“The attempts to sabotage the supply of the tabs in Tamil schools are unfortunately coming from those who are involved in Tamil schools.
“It is tragedy in this country that the presence of Trojan horses in our midst pose a great danger to the well-being and future of Tamil schools in the country.
“The enemies are not from without but from within,” Ramasamy revealed. – Sept 30, 2021
Photo credit: Tamil Culture
