New Straits Times, August 17, 2008
Pledge to help 410 missionary schools over leases

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will assist 410 missionary schools to retain their leases and renew them at a nominal premium.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the ministry also planned to keep the quit rent for these schools at a nominal sum of RM1 a year.

"We will speak to the state governments to ensure these missionary schools have their leases renewed at a nominal price," he said after closing the Malaysian Christian Schools Council Symposium at the Methodist College in Brickfields.

Wee said his ministry was working out a blueprint to provide grants for the maintenance of missionary schools as well as Chinese, Tamil and religious schools.

"The ministry looks at missionary schools as an important asset -- a school for all, regardless of race and religion. Many ministers are the product of missionary schools, so the grants to upkeep these schools are timely as most are several decades old."
Wee said among the missionary schools which would have their leases expire in the next five to 20 years were the Methodist Boys' School in Sentul, Sekolah Menengah Kebangasaan Assunta, Bukit Bintang Boys' Secondary School and the Catholic High School in Petaling Jaya.

Wee said the ministry would look at ways to employ more Christian teachers in missionary schools.

The Teachers Christian Fellowship national coordinator, Indyrany Kannaiya, said while there were enough Christian teachers to serve in missionary schools, it was looking for younger educators.


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