Beyond these gates lies a story of Buddhist education. That story is about Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay. This school stands as a beacon of learning. It is the only Buddhist secondary school in Malaysia. Buddhist education is compulsory for all Buddhist students here.
Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay began as an orphanage. A Buddhist nun named Hong Lien founded it in 1936. She aimed to spread Buddhism in Penang. The institution was named after Bodhi. Bodhi means enlightenment in Sanskrit.
After the war, the school was rebuilt. Ong Dong Shu became the first principal. He had taught in Yangon and Makassar. Philanthropist Aw Boon Haw contributed to the building.
Originally an all-girls school. Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay transitioned to co-education in 2007. The relocation to Sungai Dua in 2009 marked this change. This was due to the high demand for Chinese schools.
In 2009, Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay had 1280 students. There were 253 boys and 1027 girls. The school had 77 teachers.
Chinese language is a compulsory subject here. It is for students with a Chinese primary school background. They must take it during Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia. That’s SPM.
The school has a clear mission. It aims to manage administration efficiently. It wants to be sensitive to the needs of students and staff. The school guides students toward knowledge. It instills life-long learning habits. Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay aims to produce students skilled in IT. They should have good interpersonal skills. The school wants to raise standards in academics and co-curricular activities.
The school motto reflects its values. These are humanity mindfulness diligence perseverance. Humanity means caring for students. Mindfulness means all-round education. Diligence means instilling hard work. Perseverance means facing challenges with confidence.
Aw Boon Haw donated money to build the Phor Tay Institution. This included a shrine a meditation center and the primary school. In 1957 Mrs. Aw Boon Haw donated $70000.00. It helped build a hall in memory of her late husband.
Today Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay stands tall. It continues to provide quality education. It upholds its Buddhist values. The school prepares students for the future. It equips them with knowledge and skills. Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Phor Tay remains a vital part of Penang’s educational landscape.