Build school before taking land, PDC told

Fun learning: Kamalanathan interacting with kindergarten children during his visit to SJK(T) Ladang Byram in Nibong Tebal.

NIBONG TEBAL: The Education Ministry wants Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to build a school for SJK(T) Ladang Byram before acquiring the school land.

Deputy Education Minister 1 Datuk P. Kamalanathan said the four-acre piece of land offered by PDC in exchange for the current property should also be agreeable to the school board of governors, school parent-teacher association (PTA) and Ladang Byram residents.

“The board chairman N. Munusamy told me that the school’s land will be acquired by PDC for some development purposes and will be replaced with a four-acre land.

“PDC has to provide a location that is agreeable to the board, PTA and the local residents.

“The site for the school’s relocation must be suitable and convenient for pupils to attend school.

“Normally we ask for six acres but four acres is acceptable and we have to make smart use of the land provided.

“PDC should build the school as they are the one who wants to take back the land for development purposes,” he said in his speech at the ceremony to hand over the Government’s RM400,000 aid to the school.

Also present were school headmistress S. Gokilawani, school PTA chairman P. Jegan Jeevaram, south Seberang Prai district education officer Norhassim Mahat, special officer to the Home Minister Datuk Mohd Foad Mat Isa, Nibong Tebal MIC chief Datuk N. Kamalraj and Munusamy.