GEORGE TOWN – The impending closure of one of the oldest schools on the Penang mainland – SK Assumption has given rise to concerns about the future of missionary schools in the state with up to four more schools speculated to shut its doors in the future.
It was previously reported that four schools under the Infant Jesus Sisters movement namely SK Convent Light Street, SM Convent Light Street, SM Convent Pulau Tikus and SK St Xavier Branch may face closure in the next few years.
These schools may possibly be converted into private schools in view of the low demand in the nearby communities or possibly face a permanent shutdown if the owners are unable to maintain it.
In the case of SK Assumption, it is learnt that the reason provided to the school’s Parent Teacher Association, was that the landowner, who is also the developer, wanted to withdraw the given lease to redevelop the area near the old Butterworth commercial quarters.
A state assemblyman opined that missionary schools absorbed under the Education Ministry needed to find renewed importance in its appeal in the face of dwindling enrolment and higher operating expenses stemming from utility bills to staffers.
“It is getting harder to find volunteers and reliable help nowadays,” said Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit.
The federal authorities, he said, should find ways to rejuvenate such schools by perhaps allowing missionary school owners to set the respective schools’ direction.
St Xavier’s Institution (SXI)’s board member and alumni Jeffrey Chew Gim Eam opined that a simple solution is not available to solve the plight of such schools.
SXI continues to remain strong in its tradition and maintenance, having recently honoured its late alumni Karpal Singh when one of the school’s halls, the second oldest in the country, was named after the outspoken lawyer who graduated from the school in 1960.
Moving forward on the future of missionary schools in Penang, Chew admitted that the school like many others located in old neighbourhoods, are facing a drop in enrolment.
There are many factors why some missionary schools are faced with low enrolment.
Among the factors contributing to the low enrolment, Chew said people are relocating from the inner city of George Town where the schools are located to enjoy a higher quality of life.
“Many working families live in the suburbs of Penang and logically they would prefer for their children to be studying in schools near their homes.”
The former Penang Port Commission chairman added that the competition between private and international schools also plays a factor as parents are generally unhappy with the standard of education in public schools.
For almost every family, education is the answer towards securing their children’s future.”
“Although the missionary schools were famed for producing top notch students such as Karpal, who was ingrained with a sense of duty, the way forward is the school’s ability to equip children with skills such as technology, healthcare, and finance, rather than just relying on achievements of past luminaries.”
Chew said that the SXI school board headed by Victor Tan, is also tuned in to the needs of the future, which is why the board is now looking to unlock the value of the schools, which sits at the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Site.
“The hope is to raise as much funds as possible so that these schools can improve on their amenities as this is one sure way to boost enrolment figures.
“Expect more public engagement activities as SXI hopes to reclaim its glory as one of the finest education institutions in the country,” said Chew.
Chew also expects the SXI owner, the famed Lasallian Brothers movement, to ensure that students from various income groups are welcome to study at SXI even if the schools turn private or go international.
The convent schools in Light Street and Pulau Tikus are reportedly to be converted into international schools.
The principal company involved, is said to be Ace Edventure, which is supposed to run the UK-based International General Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum.
In the end, Chew said, the issue is about ensuring that education is affordable to all families and a need to disallow the polemics of political polarisation to invade schools.
“The future of our children should not be held hostage to politics.
“They should be allowed access to the best education and highly motivated teachers. If the students succeed, so does the country,” he added. – The Vibes, January 9, 2022
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