New Programmes To Enthuse Students To Learn And Speak Tamil

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The Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC), in partnership with various Tamil community groups, will be initiating a host of new activities in 2007 to promote the use of Tamil and support the teaching and learning of the language.

2. In 2006, TLLPC successfully organized a series of programmes and activities to promote the use of Tamil amongst students in schools and the Tamil community at large. These events, namely drama workshops, seminar for pre-school teachers, language and cultural camp, scriptwriting workshops and reading programmes at 14 centres received enthusiastic support from schools and Tamil organizations. In total, these programmes reached out to 460 students and 100 teachers in 78 schools and 20 organisations.

3. The programmes planned for 2007 are listed in Annex A. They aim to promote the use of Spoken Tamil and inculcate interest in, and appreciation of Tamil Language, literature and culture among the young by;

a) Creating innovative and fun-filled opportunities for students to use the language, including Tamil literary activities, competitions and immersion programmes such as overseas study trips, work experience and camps;

b) Sourcing and developing resource materials to promote listening, speaking, and reading in Tamil among students;

c) Conducting seminars and workshops, and publishing reference resources, for parents to promote the use of Tamil at home, and

d) Organising seminars and workshops for Tamil teachers to facilitate the learning and sharing of pedagogic methods.

4. TLLPC will partner the Ministry of Education, Tamil community organizations, schools and teachers in organising these programmes. Notably, the Tamil Language Council (TLC), with the support of TLLPC, will organise a Tamil Language Festival between 31 March 07 and 15 April 07. TLC will partner the People’s Association Narpani Pearavai, Tamil Language & Cultural Society, Tamils Representative Council, Ravindran Drama Group, Singapore Tamil Teachers’ Union, Singai Tamizh Sangam, Federation of Indian Muslims, Association of Singapore Tamil Writers, National Library Board and several other groups to organise literary and cultural activities such as a Drama Competition, Sorsilambam (debate series), Thirukkural Vizha (festival commemorating the calibrating of Tamil manuscripts), Family Day and workshops by community leaders.

5. More information on TLLPC will be made available at the TLLPC website at a later date.

6. The TLLPC, chaired by Mr S Iswaran, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry, was set up in February 2006. It aims to promote the speaking and learning of Tamil amongst students and to develop in them an abiding interest in the Tamil Language, literature and culture. The committee comprises representatives from the education sector, major community organizations, arts groups and the media. The composition of the TLLPC is at Annex B.

7. As announced by Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam in July 2006, MOE will fund the Committee’s programmes and activities to promote community engagement in the learning of the Tamil Language. MOE will provide a grant of $70,000 per year, over 5 years, to help fund the TLLPC’s programmes. MOE will also provide 1:1 matching for funds raised by the community, up to a cap of $350,000. In the event that the community raises the maximum amount of funds to qualify for matching grant, MOE will provide a total of $700,000 to the Tamil community over 5 years. TLLPC has set up a committee, chaired by Dr Chandroo, Chief Executive Officer, Modern Montessori International Pte Ltd, to spearhead the fund-raising efforts.