Pow Nee’s own distinguished life took off in Jit Sin Primary School, Bukit Mertajam, studying a Chinese-language curriculum for three years. This was followed by schooling in English at the Anglo-Chinese School, Bukit Mertajam.

Pow Nee was admitted to St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang on 2 February 1926. His teachers were legends of their time: Mr Khaw Bian Teng (Standard III), Rev Bro Phillip (Standard IV), Mr Lim Gim Boon (Standard V), Mr Robbi Robless (Standard VI), and Mr Arthur De’Cruz (Standard VII). He passed his Junior Cambridge in 1931. His teacher that year was Rev Bro Edmund. He then passed his Senior Cambridge the next year when Rev Bro Patrick was his teacher.

Pow Nee recalled that just getting to SXI from Bukit Mertajam each day was both memorable and painful. He had to wake up at 4.30am every morning to catch the 5.30am train to Prai, where the train terminal was located in those days, eventually reaching school at about 6.45am. His poor sister, Pow Nyong, had to wake up at about the same time each day to prepare his breakfast.

Classes began at 8.00am. After school was over, he would board the railway ferry headed for Prai at 4.45pm, arriving home at about 6.00pm. In spite of the long days, he managed to find time to play football for SXI and performed with the Li Tek Seah Band.

Pow Nee always professed, that it was only with God’s blessing that he managed to pass his Senior Cambridge Examination. He completed his education at St. Xavier’s Institution on 30 January 1933. Leaving school at the same time was his very friendly and helpful classmate, Michael Jacques, who would return later as Rev Bro Director, SXI Penang; and then go on to distinguish his alma mater as Rev Bro Visitor La Salle Schools, Malaya; and Assistant Superior General La Salle Schools for Asia.

Pow Nee and the LiTek Seah Band on 14 May 1939. He played in the woodwind section.