Speaking at a press conference during a "Rally to protect Tamil Language and Tamil Literature" at Wisma Peladang, Kuala Lumpur today, the chairperson for Movement for Sustaining SPM 12 Subjects A Thiruvenggadam said Wee "is supporting a formula which is against our vision".
"We specifically request that he resign because he does not understand the meaning of '10+2' which does not recognise the vernacular language which means Tamil Language and Tamil Literature.
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We demand that they recognise these two subjects because their move is actually marginalising our mother-tongue," Thiruvenggadam (left) said.Earlier this week, the government had reconsidered its decision to allow students to take two elective subjects in addition to the 10 capped core subjects in the SPM) examination.
The action followed protests from the Indian and Chinese communities which feared that the move will eventually marginalise vernacular schools.
Soon after the new decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, it was endorsed by Wee, saying that this will benefit the Chinese community and those in vernacular schools.
In the case of Indian students, they will be allowed to sit for the Tamil Language and Tamil Literature papers but will not be recognised and considered in the overall SPM results and for scholarship purposes unless it is for language-related jobs such as teachers.
However, argued Thiruvenggadam, it is unfair for the government to come up with such a decision as the students' future is at stake.
"How can students decide at the Form Five level, to become teachers? Nobody knows. Even us, grown adults who have gone through the SPM, we could never decide our future career in Form Five. No way," he said.
Five resolutions get the nod
Around 400 people from various Indian NGO's participated in the forum which adopted five resolutions including the following;
- Respect the Federal Constitution 152 (1) (a) and 152 (1) (b) which state everyone has the full right for mother-tongue language,
- The government should hold discussions with educationalists before deciding on educational matters instead of relying on ministers alone;
(Thiruvenggadam argued that the educationalists "have been there longer than the education ministers who always come and go while the educationalists have full knowledge of the real issues.")
- The Chinese and Tamil language subjects should be given full recognition unconditionally;
- Request the government to establish a government agency to protect and support and undertake research on the Tamil language; and,
- Request the government not to directly or indirectly place any restriction on their mother-tongue.
Thiruvenggadam said he hopes to meet MIC vice-president and Human Resource Minister S Subramaniam, who was directed yesterday to continuously hold discussions with the education ministry to resolve the ongoing dispute.
No confidence vote
However, Thiruvenggadam is sceptical of any positive outcome as he reckons that Subramaniam's request was born out the pressure that the issue had generated.
"The reconsideration came after the cabinet has already made its decision... time and time again why are such controversial decisions made in the first place?
"But, yes of course I'd like to see him. I have spoken to him over the phone and he said he wanted to meet me," he said.
Despite all this, Thiruvenggadam pointed out that Indian ministers could have done something about the issue a long time ago instead of just kow towing.
"They said they represent the Indians, but why agree to such a decision?" he asked.
Today's forum also saw the attendance of ousted Perak DAP speaker V Sivakumar, PKR MP N Gobalakrishnan and Kampung Tunku DAP assemblyperson Lau Weng San.
Sivakumar when met after the function told reporters that the issue can be resolved.
"This is a simple administration matter that can be solved by the education minister.
He added that he is campaigning in support of this movement in his constituency, Tronoh.
"I was surprised to know that many on the ground aren't aware of this problem.
The group would be handing the 5-point memorandum to the Education Ministry at 11 am on Dec 16.
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