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Government English School (Sultan Yussuf School), Batu Gajah

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Subject :Government English School (Sultan Yussuf School), Batu Gajah
Published By : The Perak Library, Ipoh. 
Location : Batu Gajah, Perak.
Estimated Year : 1907
Media Type : Photograph
Source : History Of The English Schools In Perak / Main Convent Library
Remark : This building housed the Government English School from 1907-1950, providing education for both boys and girls. Sultan Yussuf School was founded in 1907 by Mr. K. Malai Perumal Pillai, an Indian contractor and landed proprietor. He believed in providing education and started the school in his own house. All expenses the school incurred were paid by him for about three years, even the cost of books for pupils. The school later obtained an additional building built partly out of material from the old prison building.

In 1911 the administration of the school was taken over by the government and renamed the Government English School, Batu Gajah. The school went through a series of principals before the arrival of Captain Syed Shaidali, who would dedicate the next 20 years of his life to Sultan Yussuf School. Under his reign changes were instigated, the house system was introduced and cricket, football and hockey were organized. In 1924, the school formed the first scout troop in Kinta.

To find out more about Sultan Yussuf School, please follow the link below to their website:

http://www.smksy.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Academically, where before the highest standard in the school was Standard VII, in 1929 3 boys passed the Junior Cambridge; in 1932 9 passed the Senior Cambridge. The school magazine, “The Gajah” was first published in 1931.

The School was looted during the Japanese Occupation in 1941 and 1942. Then, a cyclone uplifted one of the temporary buildings shortly after the liberation emphasising the need for new buildings. These were last ready in 1951.

The tradition of admitting girls to the school was broken when the Convent opened an aided girl’s school on the outskirts of the town.

The school shifted to its current site in 1959 and its name was changed to Sultan Yussuf School, in honour of the ruling Sultan. The school continued to undergo expansion and improvements, including the construction of science laboratories, dormitories for out of town students, computer laboratories, a library, a music room etc. The current (2008) Sultan of Perak is a former student of this school.

Filename : 20080424-021