By Dharshini Ganeson
Foundation provides a way out for B-40 families through education
The TARA Foundation has a mission, using education as a tool to uplift the B-40 communities, by providing tuition classes after school, at centres established for that purpose.
In just six years since its founding of tuition centres in 2019, TARA has grown to 30 centres throughout Malaysia with an enrolment of around 2,529 students.
Mainly from B-40 families, approximately 500 children are provided lunches on a daily basis.
The founder and mentor, Datuk Pardip Kukreja believes arresting the dropout rate among the youth is the solution to achieving success in education and gaining admission to university.
“The giving out of welfare aid temporarily provides relief to B-40 families, only education will uplift and provide a long term solution to poverty,” he said.
Pardip also said the next step to providing tuition after classes was to set them up in locations that had large numbers of B-40 families and to utilise buildings such as temples, which had large spaces to conduct the classes.
One such newly opened TARA centre is located at a temple at Taman Mewah Jaya, Sentosa, Klang.
It held its opening ceremony last month and is known as the “Devi Sri Maha Kaligambal Alayam Gurukulum”.
“These centres of learning known as “gurukulum” existed throughout India before the coming of the British.
The children received their education from these places of learning but when the British arrived in India, they closed these places of learning and set up English based learning centres, which effectively removed the close relationship between the teacher and the student.
“But today with the opening of this TARA tuition centre in Sentosa, Klang, it gives the students living in this area, the opportunity of free tuition classes after school, supervised by a full time tutor cum administrator, with volunteers as support staff,” added Pardip.
Currently, the newly opened centre receives support from the Sentosa Specialist Hospital, Klang and Dr SP Sakthiveloo, its founder said promoting education was important for the future of children.
Dr R Siva Prakash, who cosponsors the TARA centre at Kuala Kubu Bahru since August 2025 feels it is a good move to utilise the space at temples, which are large, open spaces and offer a good backdrop for after school tuition classes.
He said: “In Malaysia our temples are one of the most under utilised community resources.
Historically temples were not only places of worship but also centres of learning (the gurukulum model) where knowledge, ethics and life-skills were taught under the guidance of wise teachers (gurus).
“Reviving this tradition means turning temples into living schools of values and skills.
“By integrating early education, tuition support and vocational learning within temple grounds, we can create safe, moral and inspiring spaces for children from all backgrounds, especially the B-40 group to learn, grow and thrive.
“If we do not harness these sacred spaces for community education, we are wasting a powerful, accessible infrastructure network across Malaysia.
“It is time to turn to the “gurukulum” spirit where temples can once again become the light of wisdom, compassion and empowerment for the poor.”
Source: game-changer-for-education