The current status of resource centres in Malaysian Tamil school

Abstract

This study was designed to find out the current status of Malaysian Tamil Schools Resource Centres. A random sample of 180 Tamil schools were selected for this survey. Questionnaires were sent to these schools by mail. A total of 110 (59.3%) schools returned the questionnaires. The data obtained was examined to assess the administrative aspects of the Tamil SRCs and the main problems faced by them. Based on the findings, most of the SRCs in Tamil schools have an SRC Central Committee and an SRC Working Committee. It was found that the SRCs in Tamil schools provide the basic and traditional services, that is circulation and reference. They do not have enough technology in the SRCs such as computers, multi-media or Internet. It is time for the Tamil schools to take serious measures to consider information technology in their SRCs. It was also noted that almost all the Tamil schools provide services to the students during the school hours, although some schools open the SRCs during weekends and school holidays. These re really very encouraging signs. The SRC time is also included in the class time-table The main problem faced by the SRCs in Tamil schools is lack of space especially in the rural schools. It was also noted that most of the SRC D-ordinators in the Tamil schools are not trained in the Library Science Although mc them are interested in doing SRCs work, they do not get the necessary training. The SRCs in the Malaysian Tamil schools ,ied I improvement to keep pace with the current development taking shape in the introma ?.chnology.