Chapter 1 - Report of the Education and Public Relations Group (vi) Co-curricular activities Most schools do not have a proper place for recreation and sport. This is very obvious in KAFA schools. Games, sport and recreational activities are of low priority in SAR schools especially for students who stay in hostels. Students need opportunities to play and socialise for total personal development, character building and self-confidence. As most teachers are not professionally trained, they are not able to mentor the children through co-curricular activities. (vii) Financial aid All the schools visited had received financial aid from the MOE in 2011. However, up to October of the year under review, the schools had yet to receive any financial aid. The grant is for management, infrastructure, teacher-training and library facilities. The Commission was informed of a standing order to hand over the grant for teacher-training to the State Education Department to manage. Some schools do not agree with this arrangement, feeling they are better placed to determine the type of training required. In Perak, the Education Department determines all of the teacher-training needs without consulting the schools. To meet their financial obligations, the schools rely on fees paid by students, as well as on donations. Several schools – such as Pusat Tahfiz Amal in Yan, Kedah – have made use of students to solicit donations from the public. The Commission was informed that payment of the teachers’ salaries also depends on the school’s financial standing. • Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) The Commission visited eight SJKT located on plantations. The Commission’s Observations (i) Most of the schools lack chairs, tables, computers, telephones and Internet access. (ii) One school was housed in a disused rubber factory, while another lacked water supply. (iii) Most of these schools use tables and chairs obtained from government-aided schools or through donations from NGOs or individuals. (iv) Transportation to school is an issue as there are no bus services from the estates. On one estate, the management provides transport for the children. (d) Other Issues in Education The Commission has previously brought to the attention of the MOE the need to include human rights education in the school system, as the level of awareness is still very low or even absent. However, the Commission recognises that teachers already have a heavy workload and, therefore, does not wish to impose extracurricular activities on human rights. The Commission 31