My Alma Mater
Visiting my high school brought many memories, mostly sweet. I worked really hard to get into this "premier school". Gettting straight A's in the Primary 6 examinations... but only to find out that my Malay classmates only had to score half a result of half B's and A's to receive an offer letter to join the school. Disheartening indeed... 
Penang Free School is the oldest (therefore the first) English School in the South East Asian region. The school founded by Rev. Sparke Hutchings in the year 1816 and has history of excellence in academics and sports. The school previously assumed the reputation as the institution for the creme de la creme of junior achievers and fuelled the dream of kids making their parents proud...
The Free School can boast of being the Alma Mater of many established, well known and successful Malaysians locally and abroad. An individual pursuing his secondary education in the Free School is commonly known as a Free, once the individual leaves the Free School, he is automatically an Old Free. 
Those who graduate from the school often speak of their alma mater with pride... and who wouldn't when the alumni list reads something like this
Tunku Abdul Rahman, 1st Prime Minister and founding father of Malaysia.
Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail, the 3rd Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, also the 12th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.
Tan Sri P.Ramlee, Malay actor, director, songwriter and musician.
Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, second Chief Minister of Penang.
Dato' (Dr.) Anwar Fazal, probably the most influential figure in the worldwide consumer movement.
Dr. Wu Lien Teh, world-renowned Plague Fighter and pioneer in the modernization of China's public health system.
Dato' Eddy Choong, former All-England Badminton champion.
Hj. S.M.Zainul Abidin, renown educationist. He taught most of those listed above.
Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen, President of the United Nations Association of Malaysia (UNAM)
But of late. there's been trouble in the school... (so I've heard and seen)
Labels: high school, Malaysia, nilam, penang, penang free school, prime minister of malaysia, tan sri p. ramlee, tunku abdul rahman, wu lien teh, zainul abidin. education
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