THE setting up of a new national-type primary school in Alma, Bukit Mertajam, has received the nod from the Education Ministry following the overcrowding of pupils in four vernacular primary schools in the area.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government received the letter of approval from the ministry on Jan 10.
“The new school will be named SJK (C) Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. It will be able to cater to the needs of the community residing in Alma.
“There are four schools in the area which are now overcrowded. They are SJK (C) Sin Ya with 1,775 pupils, SJK (C) Kay Sin with 560 pupils, SJK (C) Kim Sen with 1,432 pupils and SJK (C) Permatang Tinggi with 906 pupils,” he told a press conference in Komtar after presenting allocations to Chinese and missionary schools in Penang today.
Chow said the cost to build the school would be borne by the ministry.
“Our task is to find a piece of land to build the school. We have to identify a plot of land for educational purposes. We welcome any interested landowners who wished to assist the Penang government.
“The state Chinese and Mission Schools Affairs Coordinating Committee chairman Chong Eng is being given the task to coordinate the matter,” he added.
Also present were several state executive council members and state assemblymen.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alvie Cheng
Video by Law Suun Ting