Date : 21 May 2012       Time : 0900 MST

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop  said that about one third of 8,000 students involved in the transition class from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) have been found to have a weak grasp of the English language and Bahasa Melayu, as well as Mathematics.  Describing the situation as worrisome he said immediate steps should be taken to reduce the dropout rate from Tamil schools nationwide, from time to time.    He noted that non-governmental organisations had played their role in assisting weak students.  For a start, the government will provide them with a budget of RM533,000 to extend the programme . Tan Sri Nor Mohamed  said the budget would benefit about 200 students who are participating in the four-year-old programme which provided academic and non-academic classes in Sungai Pelek, Kapar and Port Klang in Selangor.