The Pahang government has sought a new location to build a complex to house Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) St Thomas and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) St Thomas in Kuantan.

Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob said the move was to resolve the issue of closing the two schools from January, as the site of both schools had to be returned to the owner - St Thomas Church.

"The two schools will maintain the current status, all staff and students will also remain, but the demand for the school to remain in the same area is not feasible, financially and legally.

"Therefore, the state government will help the Education Ministry find a suitable location to build a complex which will house both schools in the near future," he said.

Adnan was speaking to reporters after visiting SK St Thomas and briefing the school's staff, parents and students on the closure of the school here today.

In the meantime, Adnan said students and teachers of both schools would be transferred to nearby schools until the new school complex was completed.

"The students of SK St Thomas will be transferred to SK Teruntum, while students of the secondary SMK St Thomas will move to SMK Sultan Abu Bakar.

"All management and school sessions have been discussed and we hope the schools involved can work together to ensure quality education is continued," he added.

- Bernama