GEORGE TOWN – There is no indication that SRK St Xavier Branch in Pulau Tikus would be closing anytime soon, said its school board chairman Victor Tan.
Tan was responding to speculation that the school was among three other missionary schools which might close in the near future due to poor student enrolment and the emergence of new international and private schools here.
In addition to the St Xavier Branch, other missionary schools include SK Convent Light Street, SMK Convent Light Street and SMK Convent Pulau Tikus.
The convent schools come under the ownership of the Infant Jesus Sisters Order, and it was previously reported that the Convent Light Street primary and secondary schools may be converted into international schools.
“I think the report is inaccurate. As far as we know, the branch school continues to operate so the parents and alumni need not be worried unduly,” Tan told The Vibes here.
Tan said that the board works closely with the educational authorities on such matters.
While not discounting that there is a drop in enrolment due to many factors, Tan said that the decrease in the enrolment was felt by many national schools here.
He pointed out the emergence of the Chinese vernacular schools, which are perceived to be better supported in terms of facilities, and the growing number of private as well as international schools, prompting parents to have more choices.
In another development, the Penang National Union of the Teaching Profession chairman Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said said that the impending closure of SK Assumption in Butterworth can be condoned.
“It is because there are still many national schools in the area, but we hope the education authorities can relocate the students in schools which do not bring inconvenience to their families,” Zaidi said.
He also appealed to the state Education Department to transfer the teachers to schools near their residences too.
The former missionary school, which is among the oldest in Butterworth, will be closed on grounds that the private landowner wants the land back.
The school reportedly only has an enrolment of 55 students for this academic semester, with its Parent-Teacher Association notified that it would be closed by next month.
Nevertheless, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy together with Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees have called for the school to be retained with plans afoot to find an amicable solution to the matter. – The Vibes, January 11, 2022
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