BENTONG: A Muslim couple from Karak near here have enrolled their 7-year-old daughter at a vernacular school so that she will be able to pick up the Tamil language.
The couple today accompanied their eldest daughter Siti Nur Husna Alifdin who joined Year One at SJK(T) Karak here.
Housewife Nurul Fadznie Ashikin Hairul, 27, said she and her husband Alifdin Latif, 28, have no regrets sending their daughter to the school.
“It will certainly be an advantage for my daughter to communicate in a language other than Malay and English.
“We feel it is a privilege to learn another language and it will certainly benefit her. There is nothing strange about this decision since we are living in a multi-racial country like Malaysia.
“Furthermore, it is my mother-in-law’s dream to see her grandchildren learn and speak several languages. While my daughter goes to Tamil school, her cousin is going to a Chinese school in Karak,” she said.
Nurul Fadznie Ashikin said to ensure her daughter was not left behind in her lessons, the family had made early preparations including sending Siti Nur Husna to a Tamil-medium kindergarten.
“She was the only non-Indian in the kindergarten but that did not stop her from mingling with the others. Her cheerful character has allowed her to easily make friends and learn the language. Now she can speak in Tamil.
“My daughter is happy with her new environment and I guess that is vital. Since she is happy, she will adapt to the environment fast and enjoy her lessons,” she said.
Nurul Fadznie Ashikin said the family had received a lot of encouragement from other family members and neighbours over their decision.
“We might consider sending her two younger siblings to different schools so that they can learn to speak other languages.”