Sungai bakap: After a delay of nearly 17 years, the new building for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Sungai Bakap, valued at RM12.6 million, is expected to be completed within 56 weeks. Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the project will be carried out by Yayasan Didik Negara and monitored by the Penang State Education Department to ensure it stays on track.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the construction of SJKT Sungai Bakap is especially important in providing better and more comprehensive educational facilities for students in the area. "The journey to reach this point for SJKT Sungai Bakap has been deeply emotional for me, as we have gone through a very long process to reach this moment," she told reporters after officiating the ground-breaking ceremony and handover of the Letter of Acceptance at the school site today.

Also present were Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, Penang Special Committee for Tamil Schools chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, and Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman RSN Rayer. Fadhlina, who is also Nibong Tebal Member of Parliament, said the new school will have six classrooms, special rooms and other facilities built to established standards.

She also apologised to parents, students, and teachers for the lengthy wait to see the school construction finally realised. The construction of SJKT Sungai Bakap has been a protracted issue since 2009, with delays stemming from several implementation challenges, financial constraints, and legal disputes.

Meanwhile, Fadhlina assured that the MADANI Government has no policy to close any SJKT schools as long as it remains in power, saying that Tamil schools have a place in the national education system and will continue to be strengthened. Separately, she said the government's decision to automatically offer matriculation places to all SPM 2025 candidates who scored 10As also demonstrates its commitment to ensuring no student is left behind.