DESPITE its small footprint, SJKC Chong Kuang in the Bukit Tambun state constituency is playing three roles – a preschool, a primary school, and a Chinese school for children with special needs.
Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik commended the school for providing education to some 800 pupils.
“The school is rather small but is playing three roles. And I believe that this school is the only Chinese school for children with special needs in the entire Seberang Perai.
“I hope that the Education Ministry can look into this matter, and provide special Chinese schools for children with special needs in north Seberang Perai and central Seberang Perai.
“We hope with that initiative, SJKC Chong Kuang can be a preschool, a primary school, and a special Chinese school catering to pupils with special needs in south Seberang Perai.
“This can also help to free some space for education facilities and the pupils,” he said in his speech during the school’s Chinese New Year celebration today.
Jawi assemblyman Jason H’ng recollected his childhood memories as a former SJKC Chong Kuang pupil, back in 1985.
“I remembered when I was a pupil, I had to go to the field and help to clear the sensitive plants (Mimosa pudica).
“The pupils are now lucky to have gardeners to help with the gardening works,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he managed to visit three schools which were celebrating the Chinese New Year today.
The three schools were SRJKC Keng Koon, SJKC Kampung Valdor, and SJKC Chong Kuang.
“Today’s visits enabled me to get updates from the schools – their needs and concerns – which the state government will be looking at.
“We are thankful to the Federal Government for its concern towards the needs of the students in Penang. These students are the future of our country.
“We are also grateful to the community, Parents and Teachers Association (PIBG), and kind individuals who relentlessly assist the schools and students,” he added.
Earlier at SJKC Kampung Valdor, Chow said that the state government had allocated a total of RM133,000 to the school between 2009 and last year.
“The state government provides allocation to improve facilities in the school for the benefit of the students.
“We want to provide a better learning environment for our students,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan, Edmund Lee and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar, Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis and Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Alissala Thian, Siew Chia En and Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi