ANG MO KIO (Demand for Tamil Language Classes at Secondary School level)

Mr C.V. Devan Nair asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education whether the Ministry of Education is aware of complaints made by several Indian parents resident in Ang Mo Kio that even though their children have opted for Tamil as a second language at secondary school level, no Tamil language classes are available in either of the two secondary schools in the area; whether the complaints are justified and, if so, if the Ministry will consider taking the necessary steps to provide Tamil language classes in one of the two secondary schools in the area.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has been monitoring the demand for Tamil language classes at the secondary school level in Ang Mo Kio. As there is now a sufficient number of students, a Tamil language centre has been started at Teck Ghee Secondary School, which is one of the two secondary schools in Ang Mo Kio. Classes began on 19th February with a full-time Tamil teacher teaching altogether 136 students from the two secondary schools.