Schooling in Ipoh – Episode 1
We have here a contribution by one of our readers – UV -ValiantKnight. He would like to share with us his childhood memories, especially from his schooling days at the Primary branch of ACS (in Ulu Kinta). Below is his story, together with a couple of pictures. Happy reading!
S.K. Methodist, Tanjong Rambutan
T.R. Methodist Church
Schooling in Ipoh
Episode 1
Would you believe it if I told you that I started schooling in ACS Ipoh’s branch primary school in Tanjung Rambutan (Ulu Kinta)? Yes, there is such a place as ACS Ipoh’s branch primacy school then in the early 50s. This school is now a full fledge primary school. However, back then, it was only a branch school housed in a church building (TR’s Methodist Church (Chinese) but used by all congregations – Chinese, Tamil and English).
I went to that school because my mother was a nurse (the first Mental Trained Nurse certified by the Registrar of Nursing, England) in Central Mental Hospital, Tanjung Rambutan (now renamed Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta). Yes, my siblings and their school going friends were object of teasing and ridicule when they were dropped at their respective schools in Ipoh by the CMH bus! However, many from this unsavoury place associated with mental disease became famous Malaysians.
I never had the experience of travelling to Ipoh by this bus. I was registered in the ACS Ipoh Branch Primary School and my father who was a temporary teacher there took me to school on his bicycle every morning until he left to join the Home Guards during the height of the Emergency. From that time on, I had to walk about 2 Km from my mother’s nursing quarters to school and I usually take a short cut along the railway track that ran from just behind my house to the front of the school.
It was safe then to let a 6+ walk alone along a railway track then. If this happened today, I would not be here to write about it. I would be joined by a young friend who was the brother of a famous radio announcer later in life.
There were not too many pupils in the school and there were only 3 classes, Primary One, Primary Two and Standard One (that was how classes were graded then, it later became Standard One to Standard Six and now it is Year One to Year Six.
What I remembered about this school most was its horrible toilet! It was a small outhouse away from the main building and a huge jar (I could barely pee into it being rather short then) where all the boys had to urinate into (to be used by vegetable farmers). The stench was horrible and flies were in the hundreds. I refused to go (if possible) and so cultivated the ability to hold on with my bladder full until I reached home each day. One day, I could not and wet myself and that was a day to remember! I think my classmates also cannot forget that day to my peril. However, it taught me a lesson in life.
When I became a teacher and should a pupil ask me for permission to go to the levorotary I would never deny him or her! It also taught me that one cannot be in full control all the time and that nature has its way to let us know that it is in control. A few years later, a friend in class did something worse; he could not hold back ‘the big one’. I was sitting next to him and one could imagine the stench! I helped clean up the chair and floor because I was next to him and also I remembered what happened to me a few years before that day. Of course everyone nicknamed him “Lai See Poh” (a lady that dirtied her pants with excreta) from that day onwards, but he was OK in life despite that name!
I am sure many of you did experience this when in school, either as the one performing these acts or had friends in class doing them. Care to share?
Ah ha! I studied in this school (then known as SRK Methodist) from 1978 to 1983. Prior to that I attended the kindergarten at the church building next to the school (the second picture). Well, during my time the toilets were located under the school office but now there is a new structure. The kindergarten too has gone through extensive upgrading. In fact, Tanjung Rambutan is going through extensive change. Very soon the 100-year-old station is expected to be torn down. Funnily, after many years of studying and working elsewhere, I am back in TR. Simply love this place especially the scenic backdrop of the Korbu Range from the town centre with the town field as the foreground.
UV@ValiantKnight, normally most people would prefer to refrain from Tanjung Rambutan (Rambutan Bay). But u out smart many of them to share part of your growing days in TR, and your colourful schooling life in ACS Ipoh’s branch primary school.
I was born and partly bred in Ipoh, also being an ex- ACS Lahat Road’s student I never knew that your former school was a ACS Ipoh’s primary branch. Just went to see this school, located close by or rather opposite the only entrance to Hospital Bahagia. Gamuda is widening the railway tracks, quite messy. But the colonial railway station still stands as it was before, with many hawkers selling local dishes.After reading your writings, I prefer not eat vegetables here!
But the scenery surrounding your former town is still green. I also found out two housing estate know as North Ward and South Ward. Was this places used as a lunatic centre? Not far from your school, towards the road heading to Chemor, I spotted the amazing pastureland, the National Stud Farm. A Farm for the rich and famous to trade and buy horses, believed to be established in 1969. Any who love horses should drop in to this countryside!
Hi Jaspal. are they planning to replace the 100-yr-old station in TR?
Felicia,
Most probabaly, yes is the answer. In fact, clearing work is already on-going there to build new access road to Hospital Bahagia whose entrance gate is just less than 200m as the crow flies from the station. With the double-track (Ipoh-Padang Besar) tracks by-passing TR, the existing rail track will be uprooted. The initial info I received is indicative of the station being replaced with either a railway godown or de-gazetted to build new road or to be turned into property land. Must find out more.
Hi UV @Valiant Knight,
Nice one! I too, didn’t know that there was an ACS primary branch and of all places, in Tanjung Rambutan.
Well, I often past by this town as my parents were cremated at the Paradise Memorial Park. My family chosed this place as the final resting place for my parents because we loved the beautiful and scenic Korbu Range, so prominent and tranquil from even a far distance. It is a charming countryside, far away from the maddening crowd.
I hope the authorities will not tear down the historical century old railway station. It was part of Perak’s heritage.
Speaking of peeing in school, my little daughter too, could not control her bladder and pee in her class. Poor girl, she have to clean it up herself and was given an old and torn uniform to wear after her own was dirtied. Luckily she did not cry or was tease. Her classmates fare worst, they let out the big ones too. Imagine what a headache it was for her class teacher. Well, these formed part of school life.
Hi UV@ValiantKnight,
It is amazing to know that ACS Ipoh had a branch/feeder school in TR. In the ’60s, TR was alluring for it’s waterfall. Many braved the long bicycle rides under the scorching sun to find pleasure in it’s cold and refreshing water. The communist insurgents were active in the vicinity, hence the presence of a Police Field Force (now known as General Operations Force) cantonment to contain the threat.
You alluded to TR producing many famous Malaysians. I am not in disagreement but it led me to recall a saying that there’s only a fine line between genius and insanity….hahaha! What do you think?
It must have been a terrible thing to have to try to hold back the call of nature. Fortunately, in my primary school the teachers were humane enough and the toilet facilities marginally better, so there was more focus on teaching us to hold back our emotions rather than on holding back nature’s call.
You must have gone on to ACS Primary School, Lahat Road to complete the remaining years of your primary education. Will Episode 2 tell us about what you were taught in school? As an alumnus of Government English School, Jalan Pasir Puteh, I have often wondered whether there was any difference in the way one was taught in a mission school as opposed to a government school. In my own primary school, the teachers were good in their profession and the standard of education was high .
THANK YOU, UV@ValiantKnight! I have come to know more of TR than I’ve ever known other than of the hospital, railway station and waterfalls! I have been away from Ipoh, W. Malaysia, for almost forty years and recent reminiscing and reading the comments in ipohWorld has made me feel I never really left! What sweet stirrings of the heart this has brought about. My most humble appreciation for all the good works brought to this site. Thank You too, Ian, Felicia and all regular contributors, too many to name … you all have left your mark, I mean, your hearts, to this, a very special town we still love!
UV@ValiantKnight’s posting about his school brought back memories of my brief education in Ipoh. My sisters and I attended the British Army School in Ipoh from 1961 to 1962. If memory serves, the school was housed in former Army barracks. There, my sisters and I attended classes with students of Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English backgrounds. We took the bus to school each day, always a rush in the early morning to get out to meet it as it pulled up on our street, Jalan Abdul Jalil. Classes only went until 1 p.m. because of the heat, but I remember fondly playing games of rounders in the playground with my new friends. I wonder what became of this school and whether any photographs exist? And I’d love to hear from any IpohWorld readers who might have attended.
Hi Bintang. do you remember WHERE in Ipoh this school was? if any old boy/girl from this school is reading this – DO fill us with some details
Felicia, the British Army School was located on Tiger Lane next door to the barracks. Hope that helps.
Greetings Bintang,
Jalan Abdul Jalil, was this road in Canning Garden Estate, by any chance? I used to live at No.4, Cecil Rae Avenue in Canning back in the 60′s. Time flies … Does anyone remember Catherine Wong, (Convent student, not sure Ave Maria or Main) who was my neighbour at No. 2? And, most precious memory coming back, of the former Agong’s mother, who lived at No. 6 and who, without fail, always sent over a platter of wonderful and delightful sweet”meat”s during both Hari Rayas. Sweet memories indeed! Thank you, again, ipohWorld!
Hello ex-Ipohan. Jalan Abdul Jalil (or Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil)is closer to what is now the Greentown district of Ipoh. When I lived there, at No. 141, it was a new subdivision of single family homes. Behind the house were undeveloped fields of scrub grass. My friend Ian Turnbull and I once accidently started a grass fire that raged until the Fire Brigade came to extinguish it! Quite frightening for a nine-year-old boy. Ian and his older sister Elizabeth also attended the British Army School. I wonder what became of them and my other school friends….
Thank You, Bintang. Now I’ve got my bearings better.
In 1950 I attended the convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in Ipoh.
My father was in the Britis army stationed there.
I was 12 years old at the time and as I get older I wonder more about my class mates at the Convent.
I can only remember the names of three of the girls in my class.
There was Penny Lim, Lee Heng Leng and Stephani (I cant recall her surname.
Our teacher was Miss Woodward.
I was very happy at the Convent, but was withdrawn suddenly when my father was killed.
He is buried at Batu Gaja. Does anyone remember me?
Welcome to the blog, Rosemary
just to let you know, we DO have a number of HIJ Convent Alumni following our blog (now and again). perhaps someone out there might have been your classmate?
Great to read articles about education in the schools in the 50′s & 60′s in Ipoh. I remember even further back, when my two aunts taught at the ACGS/MGS way back in the 1930′s/1940′s. Does anyone remember them? Miss Daisy Moreira was Headmistress for over 14 years and Miss Neliya Moreira was High School teacher who taught people like Mrs Rasamah Bhupalan and many others. Miss Neliya moved to Penang MGS where she was Headmistress for many years and after she retired, she became Headmistress of St Christopher’s Primary school, also for many years. I was in kindergarten at the Convent in Brewster Road in the late 30′s at the time and used to travel with my aunts to school each day. One of my uncles was also a teacher at the ACS/MBS for many years too – Mark Edwin Moreira nicknamed Alan. He was Discipline Master for many years and retired as Discipline Master. I’m sure there will be many ‘boys’ that remember him as that!!
My father – Dr Alan Winston Moreira (known as Winston) – grew up in Ipoh and practised as a Doctor for over 50 years in Ipoh. He was very involved in Sports and on committees connected with sports as well, and was awarded the DPMP and Justice of Peace for his contribution to Medicine and Sports in Ipoh, Perak. He practised as a doctor in his own practice in Ipoh until he was 79, when he migrated to Perth to join his second wife – a member of the Khong family in Ipoh.
I wonder if there is anyone still alive that remembers these teachers and my father?
Esmé
Hi Esme’, welcome to ipohWorld. There is a series of entries about your family on our database. It starts at http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=4741.
Some time ago we spoke about your adding to this with more family photograpjs, but of course you and your photographs were separated by thousands of miles at the time. Is there any chance of your digging them out now for us please. We would love to have them.
Hi Esme,
I may have left Ipoh for almost 30 years but I can still remember your dad, Dr.Moreira very vividly. If my memory did not fail me, his clinic was located at Brewster Road and in addition to being a renown doctor, he was also a passionate sport enthusiast. He was blessed with a gregarious personality and was well-loved and respected by both the medical and sports fraternity. I believe his wife Mavis is the sister of Khong Kok Yat, who was at one time a well-known legal eagle in Ipoh and was also one of the head honchos of the Peoples’ Progressive Party.
Hello Esme,
We remember your dad very well as he was our family doctor. During the Japanese occupation my mum (retired matron) who is still alive worked with your dad. I remembered your dad drove a Fiat car and he is always in churh on Sundays.I live in Calgary, Canada and I will always remember him as a humanist
Hello esme
I do remember your 2 aunts, one being daisy who was my principal when I attended the then ACGS Ipoh. She was a fair principal but I didn’t know her too well as I had few opportunities of being summoned to her office, not that I was such an obedient student!
I know your stepmother, whom I call aunt Mavis, well. She was a good friend of my mother and my aunts and, in fact, the cousin of my own stepmother. Aunt Mavis was a feisty woman, who stayed at my fathers’ house whenever she came back to Ipoh for a few months at a time, from Perth. I believe she and your dad stayed at the Ned lands area?
Hello Ken
No i don’t believe we ever met though I also attended ACS Ipoh for form 6. It’s just that I was visiting a friend in Calgary in oct, and enjoyed myself thoroughly there scouring the factory outlets and Banff and mths Canadian Rockies, of course.
Hello esme.
No ACSians from Ipoh will ever forget your uncle, Mr. M.E. Moreira. YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE ON A HONDA and “to see me at 10 o’clock”.
Dear Esme, I remember your father Dr. Moreira, who was the family doctor for my uncles and aunts. His practice was in Brewster Road. He was a good friend of my father. I also remember your uncle Mark Edwin Moreira – which former ACS boy of the 60s do not? We get caned sometimes for no reason. A few boys got caned just for being standing too close to the teachers’ cars. They were not even touching the cars. I remember a whole batch of students (about half the class) got caned just because someone made a sound after drinking some 7-up, which was then on promotion and we were given a cup each. His sound was to jokingly complained of the taste. As he could not be identified, the others who were near him got caned. Those were the days in which discipline masters dealt with students, even those who did not commit any serious offences.
I went to the British Army Children’s school in 1964/65 when the headmaster was Mr.Uff. Anybody remember him? My dad was in Sarawak and when my mum fell seriously ill Mr Uff and his wife took me home with them, whilst our Amah Ah Leen looked after my little brother. I have many happy memories of Ipoh. We first lived in Godwin Close and then moved to Canning Gardens, Jalan Rajah Kam.My mum was friends with the family of a Malaysian police officer who lived in our street, and the wife used to always give me rose water to drink. The best mee hoon I’ve ever eaten was from Canning Gardens, too.