Ex-principals honoured at bicentennial celebration

GEORGE TOWN: The impact nine former principals had on thousands of former Penang Free School (PFS) students was felt and heard when their names were mentioned in the institution’s bicentenary celebration here on Friday.

To commemorate and honour their contributions, the principals were presented with a PFS commemorative book by Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at the event, and the overwhelming ovation from 5,000 people who turned up said it all.

The nine former principals were Jalil Saad, Abdul Rahman Salim, Ramli Din, Mohd Ismail Ibramsa, Goh Hooi Beng, Poon Poh Kong, Datuk Tan Boon Lin, G. Krishna Iyer and R. Visvanathan.

In sharing their memories of serving the school, three principals said they would not trade the experience for anything else.

Rahman, 67, who served from 2000 to 2001, said apart from celebrating the school’s 200-year history, the reunion made it extra special.

“The most memorable thing I had done was to make ‘tying a tie’ compulsory among the students, which stands as a rule until today.”

As for Jalil, who retired in May after serving the school from 2012, he felt motivated to be seated with the elite group of principals and share their tales with each other.

“I am happy to be here, and the achievement that made me proud was to switch the sewn badge ruling and get students to wear the metal badge,” he said.

Goh, 72, a principal from 1988 to 1993, related his sense of elation when PFS scooped a host of accolades in co-curricular activities, especially during his tenure.

“I was so fired up to see our boys win awards in public speaking and school band marching back then.

“I was here to celebrate the 175th anniversary and I kept telling myself to come back here for the 200 years’ do. I’m glad I made it,” he said.