KUALA LUMPUR – The government has allocated RM20.8 million for the implementation of the Perabot Madani initiative and Kalvi Madani programme, which are expected to benefit more than 50,000 Indian students nationwide.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said the initiatives, implemented through the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra), underscore the government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the Indian community and ensuring that no child is left behind.
“Education is the foundation of quality human capital development. The government will continue to ensure that the Indian community has access to better educational opportunities through initiatives that are inclusive, sustainable and high-impact,” he said during the national launch of both programmes at SJK(T) Jalan Yahya Awal today.
Of the total allocation, RM12.8 million has been set aside for the Perabot Madani initiative, which will provide furniture and educational facilities to 361 government-aided Tamil National-Type Schools (SJKT) nationwide.
The initiative is expected to benefit 39,692 students and 5,290 teachers through the provision of student desks and chairs, teachers’ room furniture, whiteboards, cabinets, canteen equipment and furnishings for computer laboratories.
“When we speak about quality education, it must begin with a quality learning environment. We want to create a more conducive school atmosphere where students can learn comfortably and teachers can teach more effectively,” Ramanan said.
Meanwhile, the Kalvi Madani programme has been allocated RM8 million and will be implemented in 315 selected SJKT schools nationwide.
The programme is expected to benefit approximately 10,410 Indian students from B40 households through free tuition classes in Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics and Science, as well as nutritional assistance, learning kits and digital devices.
Ramanan said the government’s approach focuses not only on upgrading physical learning facilities through Perabot Madani but also on improving academic performance through Kalvi Madani, which targets Year Four to Year Six pupils.
He added that Mitra will also fund allowances for programme coordinators and teaching personnel involved in delivering the tuition programme.
Ramanan stressed that investment in education remains one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and nurture a skilled, competitive generation of Malaysians capable of contributing to the nation’s future growth. – June 23, 2026