Tamil primary schools in Malaysia

rdf:langString Tamil primary schools in Malaysia

rdf:langString Tamil primary schools in Malaysia are Malaysian government-aided primary schools that uses the Tamil language as the medium of instruction. They are primarily attended by Malaysian Indians of Tamil descent. Within the framework of the Malaysian educational system, Tamil primary schools are referred to as "National-type (Tamil) Schools" (Malay: Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil)). As with other government schools, they follow the unified national curriculum, with the teaching of the Malay and English languages as compulsory subjects. All other subjects are taught in Tamil, except Science and Mathematics which are in either Tamil or English depending on the school and school grade. There are six year-long school grades, referred to as Year 1 to 6. Typically, students enter Year 1 at age six, in the calendar year they turn seven. In Year 6, students sit for a standardised test called Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR, Primary School Assessment Test). After completing their studies in Tamil primary schools, most students continue studying at national secondary schools which uses Malay as medium of instruction. Besides providing education in the Tamil language, the schools also play a part in imparting Indian cultural and religious values to young Malaysian Indians to maintain a distinct Indian identity while fostering national unity in multiethnic Malaysia. Currently there are 523 Tamil primary schools in Malaysia. Tamil school in Malaysia was formed by an Tamilar association in Malaysia and it was established first as Saraswathy Tamil school in Old Klang Road, Petaling Jaya.