The Sisters of Infant Jesus (IJS), which has established over 50 schools across Malaysia since 1852, however, remained coy over what would happen to Convent Light Street (CLS) and Convent Pulau Tikus (CPT).
The IJS is the trustee landowner of the two schools which have provided primary and secondary schooling for girls.
IJS provincial leader Celina Wong said they wanted to return to the original roots of the mission schools’ establishment, which was to provide “wholesome education”.
“It is about bringing back our ethos, the special character and traditions of what a mission school is. The IJ Sisters will never forget our mission in education,” she said in a statement today.
“A mission school is one that promotes the overall formation of an individual child irrespective of race, religion or social standing.
“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,” she added.
Earlier today, the Malay Mail Online reported that CLS and CPT would cease enrolment and likely be closed in four years.
It is understood that CPT’s primary school is not affected as the land it sits on was sold to the government years ago.
The Penang Education Department had told The Star Online that an application by the IJS to take back both parcels of lands had been received by the education ministry but was not yet approved.
“Rumours are rife that the schools will be developed into private international schools,” the daily said.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today said if the IJS intended to sell the land to developers, the state would strongly object to it and not approve any building plans there.
The IJS was founded by Catholic priest Nicolas Barre in France for the education of poor and abandoned children.
The sisters came to British Malaya in 1852, in response to an invitation by another French priest to start mission schools in the country.