GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is willing to provide a piece of land to relocate the national-type Convent Light Street primary and secondary schools, if the Education Ministry wants it.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, however, said there has been no request from the ministry, and it was up to them to decide on the matter.
He said the state Education Department had said previously that surrounding schools were able to cater to the population, in the event Convent Light Street stops as a national-type school.
"We are willing to offer land if the state Education Department is interested to relocate or set up a new school. They have to tell us.
"But judging from the statement, they do not see the need because the surrounding schools can cater to the enrolment of students. It is a trend that urban schools record declining enrolment over the years.
"As such, we leave it to the state Education Department for any action they want to take," he said today.
It was reported yesterday that Convent Light Street, Southeast Asia's oldest girls' school here, would open a private international school on part of its sea-fronting premises.
The 168-year-old school's last batch of students are expected to graduate from the national education system in 2024.
The Infant Jesus Sisters Malaysia, the owner of the Convent Light Street, had said that it would be collaborating with education provider ACE Edventure to open a private international school using part of the school premises.
The Infant Jesus Sisters had asked for the return of the Convent Light Street premises from the Education Ministry due to a continuous decline in enrolment of students in the last decade and escalating costs to maintain the heritage school buildings.
Approval was granted in 2018.
Chow said the state government would find a location from the land that had been surrendered by developers over the years.
"We have to look at the location, where to put the school, if it is relocated.
"Again, it is for the state Education Department to decide whether there is a need to respond to the closure with a new school...they know the situation better," he added.