GEORGE TOWN, Nov 3 ― The Sisters of the Infant Jesus (IJ Sisters) said today there is no concern of redevelopment on land it owns in Penang, on which several missionary girls’ schools are located ― one of them the country’s oldest.
IJ Sisters' Sr Celina Wong said the Roman Catholic religious institute does not intend to sell the land and buildings for redevelopment.
“We hold a very long history here in Malaysia and preserving our history ― be it the thrust of educating young people and/or the conservation of the heritage buildings ― is dear to us. The IJ Sisters will never forget our mission in education.
“We have no intention to sell the land and buildings for redevelopment,” she said in a statement today.
Wong noted that the IJ Sisters was founded in France for the education of poor and abandoned children, and that it had came to Malaya in 1852 in response to French priest Mgr Boucher's invitation to start schools here.
“Our first foundation was Convent Light Street, Penang ― a private mission school,” she said.
“In a spirit of trust, dedication, love and sacrifice and with the help of numerous generous benefactors and friends, our Convent Schools and Orphanages multiplied throughout the country providing education to all children, irrespective of race and creed.”
Wong said the IJ Sisters wants to go back to their initial reason for being here, namely the provision of a “wholesome education” in their mission schools.
“It is about bring back our ethos, the special character and traditions of what a Mission school is… a Mission school that promotes the overall formation of an individual child irrespective of race, religion or social standing,” she said.
Earlier today, Malay Mail Online reported that the Penang Education Department had recently directed SMK Convent Pulau Tikus (CPT), SK Convent Light Street and SMK Convent Light Street (CLS) from taking in new students for the school year starting 2018.
The department had in its letter to the schools said the landowner IJ Sisters was taking back the plots of land on which these schools were located.
The Penang state government has since said it will not approve any construction plans for the lands of three missionary schools should they be sold to developers.
