Telugu Education In Malaysia

Language is the soul of a race.It is a priceless treasure that has been handed down from generation to generations to you be safeguarded jealously and posed on to our posterity.Failure to do so means,the telugu community will lose their identity and what will remain of telugu - decultured worth step mother culture and the roots lost forever.

In 1911,a labor department was established in Malaysia - Indian Extra - assistant controllers were appointed to these office.All officers down to the rank of assistant controllers were Britsh members of the Malayan civil service.Part of this training took them modern for year or so.There they learned the Tamil or Telugu languages as well as some thing of the societies and culture of these people.

Further more,the employers were required to post an abstract of the labor laws in the Indian vernacular languages Tamil and Telugu at place of employment.

The 1950's were the glorious period for the Telugu language in Malaysia.There were about 70 Telugu medium primary schools.There was also standard seven teachers training course which paved way to train Telugu teachers.The years 1968 -1992 Telugu Language was offered in Lower Certificate of Education Examination (Sijil Rendah Pelajaran) , later Pernilaian Menengah Rendah.Telugu language was also offered a single subject in Malaysia Certificate of Education Examination in 1985 and 1986.This examination was based on Indian School Certificate.

However the euphoria did not take long.On 20th March 1991,the director general of education has annoucced a bomshell that Telugu as yet to recover them.The discontinuation of Bahasa Telugu and a few other languages from 1993.But these subjects may be offered at SPM level if requested.Requests after request were made.Appeals after appeals were made to our members of parliment,state assemblymen,ministers of education and leaders of Malaysian Indian Congress.There was only lukewarm response and everyone of our requests appeals and representation fell on deaf ears.The TAM on its part fulfilled all the requirements asked but more were asked.Certain targets were set which TAM find it insurmountable or impossible with all your cooperation.It together we stand firm in our commitment then we can make our dreams come true.