EDUCATION is essentially the process of facilitating learning and the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, habits and personal development.
School education started in Malaya well over 200 years ago during the British rule, with the setting up of Penang Free School on Oct 21, 1816. Following that and the founding of St. Xavier’s Institution in Penang, schools were slowly established in various other states, with the English language as the medium of instruction.
During World War Two, however, schools were closed or turned into Japanese schools.
The Japanese also made some schools their operation centres throughout their occupation of three-and-a-half years. After the war ended, schools reopened in late 1946, with many springing up in small towns, estates and kampungs all over the peninsula.
These were government or government-aided schools.
Almost all the government schools collected a minimum amount of school fees whereas education at vernacular schools was free of charge.
Besides these schools, there were missionary schools in bigger towns run by nuns and brothers of the Christian faith.
There were also private schools during colonial days.
One such private school was the Methodist English School (MES) in Bentong, Pahang, which catered to overaged students who couldn’t attend government schools.
Students who switched from vernacular schools and those who failed in the Year Six government exam, together with a few orang Asli students, also attended MES.
Opened in the early 1950s, the school offering primary and secondary education had two sessions – one in the morning for secondary students and another in the afternoon for primary pupils. It had a hostel for boys from other towns and another hostel for outstation teachers.
The school also offered commercial subjects, namely, typewriting and shorthand for Forms Four and Five students.
As there was a good demand for typists and stenographers in the 50s and early 60s, MES – under the leadership of principal Ted Miles – produced many typists, clerks and stenographers for the government departments and the private sector.
Miles was only 24 years old when he came to Malaya as part of the Methodist mission. He was on a three-year contract to teach English at MES in Kuala Lumpur.
When his contract ended, he was offered the post of a principal at the newly-opened MES in Bentong in January 1953.
With a master’s degree in English and Literature, he was very popular with Forms Four and Five students with his teaching of literature. He also served as the head of the choir group and the hostel warden.
A jack of all trades, Miles was an author, a choreographer, a scriptwriter and a weekly columnist with a local newspaper. Noted for his integrity, kindness and good manners, Miles was well loved by students, teachers, parents and also the people of Bentong.
MES had no parent-teacher association or board of governors to assist in the running of the school. Everything was effectively managed by Miles with the assistance of dedicated teachers.
I am proud to say that the school was on par with any other government school of that era.
Hamidah, a pupil from one of the kampungs nearby who joined my Year Five class at MES, started out not knowing a word of English but soon picked it up. Many years later, when I went to the state secretariat in Kuantan where my husband was working, someone patted my shoulder.
When I turned around, it was Hamidah, now an officer. What a pleasant surprise it was!
Like Hamidah, there were hundreds of MES students who made good of their lives.
After Malaya won its independence, there were massive changes in the education system, especially with the introduction of the Razak Education Plan. Cocurricular activities became an important aspect in school education.
During the early days, we had activities organised by the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Games also played an important role in school. MES excelled in various fields, including education, sports and debates. Almost every year, the school would successfully bring home challenge trophies in football and hockey.
One of the most important school activities was the annual carnival, which taught the students leadership qualities, problem-solving skills and cooperation.
In 1966, MES closed down due to the changing times. Miles, who became a Malaysian citizen in 1961, was conferred a Datukship by the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah in 2011 for his outstanding service in the field of education.
Datuk Miles, who breathed his last in December 2015, had enlightened many with his wisdom, guidance and love. He was more than a principal to me.
As a lass fresh from school with no experience in teaching, I learnt a lot from this “walking dictionary”. He had inspired me to be a dedicated teacher for more than 38 years, and for that, I will forever be grateful.
SAKUNTHALA SUNDRAM
