Education in Penang
Encyclopedia
English Schools
PenangPenang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
boasts of a good system of education stretching back to the early days of the British administration. Many of the public schools in Penang are among the oldest in the country and even in the region as a whole. Most notable of these are:
- Penang Free SchoolPenang Free SchoolPenang Free School is a secondary school located on Jalan Masjid Negeri , George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Although the medium of instruction is now Malay, Penang Free School was the first English-medium school in South East Asia. It is widely recognised as one of Penang's premier schools and alumni...
, the oldest English school in the country .This is the former school of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the nation's founding Prime Minister, a Perlis Ruler, the legendary Malaysian actor/singer Tan Sri P.Ramlee, the present king, as well as numerous great personalities of the nation (founded in 1816 by Anglican missionaries);
- St. Xavier's Institution, also one of the oldest and most established schools in Malaysia that is at the forefront of the Malaysian education scene, both academically and co-curricularly.
- Convent Light Street, also the oldest girls`school in Penang with resides side to side with St. Xavier's Institution
These pioneer schools formed the backbone of Malaysia's early education system which has educated generations of rulers, prime ministers, chief ministers, lawmakers, politicians, professionals and people of social standing.
Fully residential schools/ Sekolah berasrama penuh (SBP)
Sekolah Menengah Sains Tun Syed Sheh ShahabudinSekolah Menengah Sains Kepala Batas
Chinese schools
Penang Chinese school has also long been the centre of a well-developed schooling system. These schools were set up by local Chinese associations with donations from philanthropists, and have historically attracted students from Chinese communities in Thailand and Indonesia, where Chinese education was banned.- Chung Ling High SchoolChung Ling High SchoolChung Ling High School is a boys' secondary school in Malaysia, located in George Town, Penang.-The school:...
, (founded 9 Feb 1917) the alma materAlma materAlma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of Penang's ex-Chief Minister, SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
's Minister of Health and one of the key education institutions that help built the nation and the region of South East Asia.
- Heng Ee School, was founded in 1952 by Datuk Father Arthur Julian, a Belgian missionary who arrived Penang from China in 1952. He established Heng Ee Primary School in 1952, followed by Heng Ee High SchoolHeng Ee High SchoolHeng Ee High School is a secondary school located in George Town, Penang.- The Founder :...
in 1957 then 1969, Heng Ee Kindergarten.
- Penang Chinese Girls' High SchoolPenang Chinese Girls' High SchoolPenang Chinese Girls' High School is a secondary school for girls. Often referred to as "Bīn huá" among the local Chinese community in Penang, is one of the leading girls' schools in Malaysia...
,founded by four prominent members of the Hokkien community, Mr Tan Sin Chen, Mr Lim Lu Teck, Mr Khor Sen Lee and Mr Cheah Seng Tin on 8 March 1920.
- Union High SchoolUnion High SchoolUnion High School may refer to:*Union High School , Modoc, Indiana*Union High School , La Porte City, Iowa*Union High School , Grand Rapids, Michigan*Union High School , Union, Missouri...
,(founded 1928) Union was founded by some charitable Christian believers. During 1942 Japanese colonization, Union had been occupied by Japanese military use.One of the all girls' school in Penang.
- Jit Sin School, is founded by an organization, Fu De Zheng Shen, in 1818. Later, the school has developed into the Jit Sin Primary School - A and B school, Jit Sin High School, Jit Sin (Private) High School and Jit Sin Kindergarten.
- Chung Hwa Confucian School (founded 1904) is one of the oldest formal Chinese Schools in Malaysia and is the first to use Mandarin as the medium of instruction instead of the Chinese dialects.
- Phor Tay High SchoolPhor Tay High SchoolPhor Tay High School , is a government-aided, Buddhist, co-educational school, situated in Sungai Dua, Penang, Malaysia...
, (founded 1940) is the first Buddhism's school in Malaysia.
- Jit Sin High SchoolJit Sin High SchoolJit Sin High School is a secondary school located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia.-Background:...
started in 1949 and shared the same history of Jit Sin School. They have set the benchmark for all government examinations - PMR, SPM & STPM, and all kinds of inter-school competitions, especially Chinese Orchestra.
- Han Chiang SchoolHan Chiang SchoolHan Chiang School is a group of three schools in Malaysia. The first school was founded on 10 October 1919 in Jalan Lim Lean Teng, Penang. All three schools are controlled by the Han Chiang Board of Directors...
, was founded in 1919 by notable businessman Lim Lean TengLim Lean TengLim Lean Teng was a millionaire born in 1860 in China. He migrated to Penang, the then Malaya seeking for a better life.-Career:Lim Lean Teng ventured into business in Penang. He turned out successful, and was one of the richest persons in Penang during his life. He had a huge bungalow and a few...
and The Teochew Association of Penang. Today, Han Chiang consists of 3 schools: SJK(C) Han ChiangSJK(C) Han ChiangSJK Han ChiangSekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Han Chiang槟城韩江国民型小学PrincipalPuan Tan Hwa Hwa School typeNational type primary schoolFoundedOctober 10, 1919FoundersTeochew Association of Penang and Lim Lean Teng...
, Han Chiang High SchoolHan Chiang High SchoolHan Chiang High School is a private Chinese high school located in Jalan Han Chiang, Penang, Malaysia. The school was founded in 1950 by The Teow Chew Association of Penang. Mr.Lim Lean Teng gave the school and Han Chiang Primary School a piece of land measuring .The school is the first private...
, Han Chiang CollegeHan Chiang CollegeHan Chiang College is a private college located in Penang, Malaysia.Established in July 1999, Han Chiang College is a not-for-profit institution of higher learning...
who excel in various categories. Han Chiang is also the first school in Malaysia to provide education from primary level to college level.
- Convent Datuk KeramatConvent Datuk KeramatConvent Datuk Keramat is a school located in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. The school is an all-girls Chinese school with primary and secondary school within the same compound.-Location:...
, was founded by Rev. Mother Tarcisius in 1935.
International schools
Penang also has six international schools to meet the needs of the local and the expatriate community. These are Dalat International SchoolDalat International School
Dalat International School is an international day and boarding school in Penang, Malaysia. Originally founded as a school for missionary kids, it has grown into an international school with a diverse student population. As of the beginning of the 2010-11 school year, there are 460 students...
, the International School of Penang (Uplands)
Uplands International School of Penang
The International School Of Penang , commonly known as Uplands School or simply Uplands by its members , is an international school in Penang, Malaysia...
, St. Christopher's International Primary School
St. Christopher's International Primary School
St. Christopher's International Primary School of Penang, is located along Nunn Road and caters to both expatriates' and Malaysian children...
, Tenby International School
Tenby International School, Penang
The Tenby International School, Penang is a school in Penang, Malaysia.It was started by the Augustine family as Sekolah Sri Inai in the early 1980s as a Malaysian private school. At its peak, it had some 550 students, including a strong contingent from Medan, Indonesia...
and Fairview International School
Fairview international school
Fairview International School is an international school in Kuala Lumpur. It was established in 1978. Its headquarters are in Wangsa Maju and it also has campuses in Ampang , Subang Jaya , Penang, Johor Bahru and Songkla...
. The Prince of Wales Island International School opened in September 2011.
Tertiary Education
Penang is home to the Universiti Sains MalaysiaUniversiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public university with its main campus in Penang, Malaysia. There are three branch campuses: one in mainland Penang , one in Kelantan on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and a offshore collaboration with a university in India...
(popular acronym USM), established in 1969, the second oldest University in Malaysia after the University of Malaya
University of Malaya
The University of Malaya is located on a campus near the centre of Kuala Lumpur, and is the oldest university in Malaysia. It was founded in 1905 as a public-funded tertiary institution...
. Its main campus is situated in Gelugor while its engineering campus is located in Seri Ampangan in Seberang Perai. The university's medical faculty is in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan
Kelantan
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
on the east coast. With 35 000 students in 2005, USM is the biggest university in terms of enrolment in Malaysia. In March 2006 USM is also earmarked as one of four research-intensive universities in Malaysia. Within the expansive and undulating university grounds can be found lakes, hillocks, and swathes of trees, making it a very 'green' university.
Penang is also home to the Wawasan Open University
Wawasan Open University
Wawasan Open University is an institution of higher education based in Malaysia that allows adult students to pursue tertiary level qualifications through Open Distance Learning ....
.
SEAMEO RECSAM, which is short for South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization- Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics, is located in Gelugor. It serves as a research and training facility for the enhancement of the education of science and mathematics in South East Asia. Sharing the campus grounds is the Malaysian Teachers' College. The other teachers' training college being the Tuanku Bainun Teachers' College in Bukit Mertajam.
[IPG College] now known as PTPL Penang is the first college in Penang established by Malaysia first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and his very good friend Mr K L Goon in 1981. Ever since then, IPG College has been the college of choice and has produce more than 300 World and Malaysia awards winners.
Penang is known as a regional education hub which attracts students from foreign countries due to its quality education and affordable tuition fees.
Private Colleges
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Equator Academy of Art Equator Academy of Art, commonly known as Equator or EAA, is a private educational institute providing specialist Art & Design courses in Penang, Malaysia. It is located on the island of Penang in the heart of George Town... http://www.equator-academy.com Han Chiang College Han Chiang College is a private college located in Penang, Malaysia.Established in July 1999, Han Chiang College is a not-for-profit institution of higher learning... http://www.hju.edu.mu Allianze College of Medical Sciences Allianze University College of Medical Sciences , located in Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia is an established college that specializes in Medicine and Allied Health Sciences courses... (ACMS) |
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Although it has been an important centre of education, Penang is one of the states in Malaysia that suffers from brain drain
Brain drain
Human capital flight, more commonly referred to as "brain drain", is the large-scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge. The reasons usually include two aspects which respectively come from countries and individuals...
. The Malaysian New Economic Plan has been criticised by many people to be one of the key contributors to this social effect. However, this is not the only factor. University graduates do not have much opportunity to experience cutting-edge technologies in many areas of industry, from hard sciences (e.g. nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
, grid computing
Grid computing
Grid computing is a term referring to the combination of computer resources from multiple administrative domains to reach a common goal. The grid can be thought of as a distributed system with non-interactive workloads that involve a large number of files...
, algorithmic research etc.) to high finance (e.g. risk management
Risk management
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
etc.) to global corporate management.