Three Christian schools in Penang will soon relocate to new, but yet unknown locations as the landowner has sold the land to developers.
In a statement released by the state education department director Osman Hussain, the three schools — St Mark's Secondary School in Butterworth, St. George School in Balik Pulau and Pykett Methodist Primary School in George Town — will be relocated elsewhere to make way for 'developmental projects'.
According to a report by The Malay Mail Online, Hussain stated that there was nothing he could do as the landowners of the school grounds of each school have sold their properties.
Fortunately, while the state education department will aim to close the schools at their original sites, it will look for alternative locations where they can transfer each school.
Still, members of the Penang Citizens Awareness Chant Group, have asked the proposed projects and leave the schools alone. Unfortunately, the state education department cannot do anything about it.
"We are a federal agency so we can't do much about land matters as it falls under the purview of the state government," said Hussain.
The St. George School, which was established by the Catholic Church, reportedly has 600 students in the elementary and secondary levels.
Meanwhile, St. Mark's Secondary School in Butterworth, which was set up way back in 1885, is home to more than 1000 students.
The Pykett Methodist Primary School has 200 students, and was established in 1891. It reportedly has gone through several relocations in the past.