Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak promised Indian students that they will get longer breaks to celebrate Deepavali. He made this pledge at the launch of the 1Malaysia Indian Student Movement in July as one of his six promises to tackle welfare issues of Indian students.
Each year, students get s holiday only on the day of Deepavali by the universities and this deprives students from going home for Deepavali. An official circular from the Ministry of Education asking universities to reschedule exams and classes in order to provide a longer break for Deepavali, has been sent out to all public universities.
Almost all the universities have accepted this circular with an open heart and gladly rescheduled the university’s time table to allow a longer break for Deepavali. Some universities have even declared a week’s holiday for their Indian students.
However, it is a great disappointment that despite the promise made by the Prime Minister and followed by an official circular, many private universities have refused to make any amendments to their time table, the notable two being Multimedia University and Uniten.
There are more than 1,000 Indian students studying at both these respected universities and their actions seem to disregard the Prime Minister’s move in looking after the welfare of all races.
Indian students in both these universities are given a holiday on Deepavali day. It is inconsiderate of them to expect students to go home and return to campus the same day.
If long breaks can be allocated by universities for Hari Raya and Chinese New Year, it should be done likewise for Deepavali.
Let us be fair in this matter so that Indian students at these universities are able to go home and spend time with their families. It is a shame for such universities to adopt the 1Malaysia concept but not match word with deed.
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