A small Tamil school in Hulu Selangor preserves traditions for five pupils

Teachers at a primary school in Hulu Selangor, Malaysia, maintain a close-knit community for five pupils despite a significant decline in student numbers.

The school, which opened in 1938, once hosted around 400 pupils in 1972. Today, the school serves only five children from nearby areas like Kampung Sri Keledang and Slim River. Headmistress Annam Sannasy noted that many Indians who once lived in the palm oil estate moved to Negeri Sembilan, leading to the current low enrollment.

Despite the small population, the school remains well-equipped with smart TVs, projectors, and laptops for every student. The six teachers provide personalized attention to the children and commute an hour daily to reach the site. They provide transportation for students who have difficulty traveling and personally collect meals from a vendor to share with the children during recess. The school does not charge fees and relies on ministry funding and sponsors to operate.

During the Deepavali festival, the school opens its doors to students from neighboring schools, including Malay students, to celebrate together. Annam Sannasy says the school prioritizes teaching traditions like creating kolam and conducting prayers to keep the culture alive. Teacher Eganash Arijenan stated that the school serves as a place where children learn to live without racial or religious differences by including Malay caretakers and staff in the festivities.