SK Sungai Gelugor: Oldest Malay School In Malaysia, A 200-year Old Heritage

By Siti Azila Alias

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Even as Malaysia continues its march towards modernity, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Gelugor here stands proud as the oldest Malay school in the region, a vital milestone in the country’s history of education as it continues to preserve its identity and heritage since its founding in 1826.

The Heritage and Cultural Gallery at the school’s original building serves as a symbol of the school’s staff in preserving the educational heritage that spans almost 200 years.

Headmaster Isma Sharni Mohamad Saad said the setting up of the gallery is the manifestation of the school’s commitment in preserving its identity, creating awareness of its historical value and instilling a sense of love towards heritage among the school’s teachers and pupils.

“The school’s original building was chosen as the gallery site for its high sentimental and symbolic value. It stands as a silent witness to the early struggle of Malay education, and is suitable as an exhibition area that maintains the authentic historical elements and environment.

“Besides being the reference centre for the school’s history, it also functions as an informal education medium for pupils, school staff and the general public to experience the long journey of the country’s education and appreciate the contributions of those who fought so hard for the pursuit of knowledge,” he said during an interview with Bernama at the school recently.

Isma Sharni said the gallery now exhibits various historical items and educational artifacts including old documents, archive photos, desks, chairs and blackboards, Jawi textbooks, traditional stationery and classic teaching materials.

The school’s old badges and uniforms, traditional musical instruments, Jawi writing samples, handicrafts, materials relating to local customs and the Gelugor community history are also exhibited, along with books, trophies, certificates and souvenirs donated by former pupils.

“The gathering and conservation process of these historical materials are done systematically and in stages involving the cooperation of various parties, including teachers, alumni, the local community and other institutions.

“The entire collection not only reflects the history of the educational institution, but serves as an effective pedagogy tool to form the pupils’ understanding towards history and their roles as a legacy generation,” he said, adding that the gallery was officiated on March 31, 2016 by then Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

The gallery has received many visitors, including students from other schools and universities, local community representatives, along with education delegations from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan as part of cultural exchange programmes.

Isma Sharni also related the school’s history, from its founding by David Brown, a landowner living in Gelugor, who built a shed as a school to teach Malay language, the al-Quran and Jawi to the children of his workers.

Brown’s efforts were continued by Reverend Beighton, a rubber and nutmeg estate manager, who hired three teachers led by headmaster Munshi Shaikh Mohd Tambi, during which the school offered classes to boys from Standard One to Four.

“The Straits Settlements administration took over the school in 1838 and built the official building called ‘Sekolah A’, which marked the start of an organised effort to encourage local community education and raise literacy rates among the Malay community and served as a model for the development of other Malay school in Tanah Melayu,” he said.

He also described the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations this year as being very significant for the school as it was a moment to reflect on the school’s contributions in the development of education since colonial times.

To instill patriotism, he said the school organised various programmes such as parades, singing contests, poetry recitals, colouring and drawing contests. 

-- BERNAMA