CHAPTER 1 1.0 Introduction - DSpace@UM - University of Malaya

In the 19 th century, a large number of Tamils came from south India as indentured
labourers under the “Kangani” system to work in the estates. The management
provided basic necessities such as the temple, nursery, toddy shop and Tamil schools
to satisfy their basic needs. Curriculum and teaching were India oriented. These
schools still exist but they are better organised; they have trained teachers, and the
schools follow Malaysian education syllabus. The first Tamil school was started in
1834 as a branch school attached to the Penang Free School. By 1930, there were 13
government, 511 estate 233 missionary and 60 Tamil schools throughout Peninsular
Malaya.
In summary, it may be stated that the Tamil education has come long way from its
humble beginning. Now candidates can offer Tamil language as a subject for the SPM
or STPM examinations. Further more candidates can even pursue a degree in Tamil
language up to Ph.D. level at the University of Malaya. It might not be out of place to
state here that the first world Tamil language Conference was held in Malaya in 1967.
The Japanese military occupied Malaya from 1941 to 1946. Their occupation sounded
the death knell for all our hopes for the progress of the Malayan education system.
They abolished Chinese and English medium schools and secondary school education
was discontinued. However, the Japanese set up vernacular schools for Malays and
Indians. The Japanese military administration established Nippon Go (Japanese
language) to substitute Chinese and English schools. Moreover, the emphasis was
given for the teaching of Nippon Go, Japanese folk songs and their way of life. They
established technical schools and colleges to teach telecommunication, fishery and
agriculture. Clubs and associations too conducted classes in various fields for adults.
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