BAGAN DATUK: The government is committed to ensuring equality in education including maintaining the teaching of vernacular languages in schools.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said equality would involve giving opportunity to students to learn their mother tongue language.
"I feel that education system in this country encourages mother tongues including Tamil, Punjabi and Telugu to be taught especially in primary schools," he said at the awards presentation for education excellence Vetri programme here today.
The programme was organised by Sri Murugan Centre.
Zahid said ensuring equality also involved providing allocation for vernacular schools.
"The government has announced the construction of seven new Tamil primary schools.
"What does this means? Multi-language schools can be upgraded and equal (opportunity) is given to (students to learn their) mother tongue language.”
He said Chinese vernacular schools had also been given additional funds including to build 10 new schools.
"The government understands that education is one way to improve people's standards of living," he said.
At the event, Zahid announced a funding of RM3 million to the centre to maintain the academic excellence of its students.
He also said financial incentives of up to RM500 would also be given to Indian pupils here who scored 5As when the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah result was released on Nov 23.