SJKT Rajaji, a 76-year-old Tamil national-type school in George Town, will soon relocate to a purpose-built RM8 million facility in Farlim, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam. The Education Ministry has given its approval for the project following successful applications and coordination with local authorities. The move addresses longstanding space constraints at the current site, where roughly 100 pupils are squeezed into inadequate premises.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh announced the development, confirming that construction will span 18 months with classes expected to commence at the new Farlim campus no later than the 2029 academic year. The new site comprises 2.3 acres of land approved by the Penang government in 2022, positioned approximately 500 metres from the school's existing location.
A private developer will fully finance the construction project through its corporate social responsibility programme, eliminating any financial strain on the state education budget. This public-private partnership exemplifies how commercial entities can support scholastic infrastructure development in the region.
Penang Tamil Schools Special Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo highlighted that the state operates 28 Tamil national-type schools, many of which are undergoing facility improvements and securing permanent premises. At least three additional SJKT groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled this year, with ongoing efforts to revitalise other institutions including SJKT Sungai Bakap and SJKT Juru.
Sundarajoo emphasised that these developments demonstrate the state's commitment to enhancing educational amenities for Tamil-medium institutions without burdening government finances, ensuring equitable access to quality learning environments across Penang's diverse school network.
