Free School roads, Penang

Thursday, May 17 2012

TO recognise the achievements of Penang Free School as one of the most important education hubs in the region when the British ruled Malaya, the colonial and post colonial governments had the roads surrounding the school dedicated to people who helped the school reach its iconic status. View Google map below. Read here for list and achievements of past headmasters.

Penang Free School, established in 1816, was the first English medium school in Southeast Asia. A committee headed by Reverend Robert Sparke Hutchings, then colonial chaplain of the Prince of Wales Island submitted a proposal for the establishment of a school to the then Governor. On the 21st of October 1816, Penang Free School was instituted, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the demise of Captain Francis Light. Its first headmaster was James Cox, owner and manager of a printing press.

“As expected, the name Penang Free School created a misunderstanding. Many parents thought 'free' means free from fees, but actually, the 'free' means the school is 'open to all'." (Asia Explorers)

Excerpts of the original charter read:

"That it will be the first object of the Institution to provide for the Education of such children as would be otherwise, brought up in idleness and consequent vice, and without any means of obtaining instruction either in useful learning or in any manual employment, and to implant in them in the early habits of industry, order and a good conduct." -- from "The Original Plan of the Establishment of Prince of Wales Island, Free School, 1816". (Wikipedia)

Read here for new charter.

First housed on rented premises in Lorong Cinta (Love Lane), the first school building (now housing the Penang Museum) was only ready for occupation in 1821 and was used for 107 years until 1927.

“By the 1920s, the school was badly over crowded and to accommodate the rising enrolment, the government acquired a new site of 30 acres in Green Lane. Construction of the new buildings commenced in 1924 and on the 9th of January, the new school buildings in Green Lane were officially declared open by the Resident Councilor of Penang, Mr Ralph Scott. The old building was named 'Hutching's School' catering for primary education while Penang Free School became a secondary institution. The old building is now the State Museum.” (Penang Free School website)

Read here for more on the history of the school.

References