New look for 190-year-old SK Sungai Gelugor

SK Sungai Gelugor now has two new four-storey buildings equipped with the latest facilities. (Left pic) An image showing how the school started in a barn back in 1826.

THE oldest Malay school in the nation, Penang’s SK Sungai Gelugor started in 1826 with three teachers and four classrooms.

Founded by Scotsman David Brown, an estate owner in Gelugor, the school was initially built for Islamic classes concentrating on the Quran, Fardu Ain and Jawi.

He started the school for the children of the workers at his estate. The school was just a small barn with bamboo walls and wooden flooring.

Initially, the school catered only for boys from Year One to Four and after that, they furthered their studies at Penang Free School which was also administrated by Brown.

Buildings were constructed on the site from 1838 in stages when it was recognised as a government school and more pupils were accepted including girls.

After 190 years, the school now has two new four-storey buildings equipped with the latest learning facilities.

SK Sungai Gelugor now has two new four-storey buildings equipped with the latest facilities. (Left pic) An image showing how the school started in a barn back in 1826.  

Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid launched the new buildings recently.

Principal Rohani Ali said the school received RM22mil under the 10th Malaysia Plan for reconstruction.

“The old buildings were demolished in 2010 and construction was done in stages from 2011.

“The first phase was completed in early 2014 and the second phase was finished last year,” she said when met at the school in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.

“The school has 975 pupils, 66 teachers and five staff members,” said Rohani, who will be retiring this month.

The primary school also boasts a heritage gallery in an old building constructed in 1930.

“We decided to preserve this building and make it our heritage gallery,” she said.