A total of six Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamill (SJKT) schools are expected to be opened next year, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan.

He said the proposal to build has been implemented following the needs and efforts to increase the Tamil language education system following the demand to set up more SJKT schools, which totalled 530 schools nationwide.

"We are in the process of obtaining approval for the planning and design.

Construction works are expected to start this year, if everything goes smoothly without any obstacle from the local authorities," he told in a press conference in conjunction with the celebration of 200 Years of Tamil Education in Malaysia.

He said, the six schools would be built at Taman Sentosa, Klang; Taman Keladi, Kedah; Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Selangor; Sungai Siput, Perak and in Masai and Pasir Gudang, Johor.

Kamalanathan said various programmes were organised to enliven the celebration to appreciate and uphold the Tamil language in this country which will hit 200 years on October, this year.

Among the suggestions were to build a Tamil language research centre in University Malaya which will be the first in the region besides the launch of a 'coffee table' book and special stamps in conjunction with the celebration.