Friday, August 19, 2011

New School Plan Hits Snag - The Star 18 Aug 2011

A MEMORANDUM of understanding (MoU) between SMJK Jit Sin and a private developer has been extended by two more years to facilitate the building of a new branch school in south Seberang Prai.

The MoU, which would have expired in January next year, was extended now in a bid to get a nod from the Education Ministry to approve the construction of the new school.

School board chairman Datuk Seri Teh Aik Lum said the school had sought a licence from the ministry after developer Asas Dunia Bhd pledged a 3.2ha plot of land for the new school in January last year.

“So far, we have yet to receive approval,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference in Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office at Komtar, Teh said that there was a need for a new school as the south Seberang Prai district did not have a single conforming school.

Asas Dunia managing director Datuk Jerry Chan said his company had agreed to donate the land on the condition that the school was able to obtain approval from the ministry within two years.

“We know Jit Sin is one of the top schools in Penang, and it produces good results from their Form Five and Upper Six students. As such, we are happy to support their education plans.

“However, we need help from both the Federal Government and the state government for the new school to materialise,” Chan said.

He added that the memorandum deadline was now extended to 2014 giving the school an extra two years to obtain the necessary licence.

Lim, who chaired the press conference, urged the Education Ministry not to prolong the issue.

“The site of the new school is near the place where the Second Penang Bridge will be constructed.

“As a result, there is a dire need to cater for the boom in the population we expect to see in the same area,” he said.

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