KOLEJ T6 HAJI ZAINUL ABIDIN

Down Memory Lane - 1995

Staff and Classes of 2005

Down Memory Lane - 2003

Haji S.M. Zainul Abidin was born  on 3rd October 1898 at 167, Argyll Road (Formally known as Cakela Lane), Penang. He was the fourth son of Puan Tangcima and Tuan A.P. Sultan Mydin.

He had his early education in Chowrasta School, Penang in 1903 and then he continued his education to Penang Free School till he passed the Senior Cambridge at the age of 16.

Due to his vast interest in the teaching profession, he became a trainee teacher  at Penang Free School in 1915. After normal training, he served in the same school. As a teacher, he was a strict  disciplinarian but popular among the students.

Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin was also a dedicated scout master. He was bestowed"Medal of Merit" and was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Scout. He used the rules and regulation of scouting as his guidance.

One very special attribute of Haji Zainul Abidin was his prowess in mastering many languages such as Malay, English, Latin, Tamil, French, Japanese and Arabic.

Due to his enthusiasm to succeed in education, he enrolled in an out-campus programme with  the University of London. He was the first Malay student to be honoured with B.A (Hon) Londonin 1935. In line with his success, he was appointed as the headmaster of Francis Light School in Penang in 1938. In 1945, he became the school inspectorate in Prai.

Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin became well-known in the political arena when he went against the Malayan Union in 1946. With a few friends he set up UMNO Penang. Unfortunately, as a civil servant he was not allowed  to be active in politics. After retiring in 1953, he became active again in politics until he headed UMNO Penang. He won the parliamentary seat in Balik Pulau in the 1955 election. He was offered the post of Education Minister but he declined as he did not want to leave Penang. In his 11 years tenure in Penang, he managed to build UMNO house in Macalister Road.

Due to his vast experience and qualification, Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin was appointed as a member of University Court (Universiti Malaya) for several years. He was also a committee member of Razak Report and Rahman Talib Report and also a member of Alliance Council.He was also involved in the setting of Bahasa Baku Melayu/Indonesia.

In economics, he was active in Penang Malays' Co-operative Society as the president. This co-operative managed to build the first flat in Taman Abidin, Perak Road, Penang in 1973.

Despite is challenging career, he could find time for his interest. He was good in tennis,billiard, chess and draught. He was also a judo exponent until he got a black belt and became an instructor. He also wrote many books. In his free time he indulged in cooking,reading and concorted traditional medicines. His interest in music could be seen through his composition and setting up of 'Dar-Es-Salam Harmonian Party' band headed by him together with his children. He was also a member of Penang Wireless Society which used Penang Radio Station as the headquarter. He became the announcer for the Malay section managing the news and song request. During the Japanese Occupation he was appointed as the station supervisor for Radio Penang.

As appreciation for his contribution, he was bestowed the "Darjat Johan Mangku Negara and Jaksa Pendamai' medals.

Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin, Taman Abidin and Jalan Zainul Abidin became the toast and pride of the people of Penang.

SMK Haji Zainul Abidin was located formally at Scotland Road, Penang. It was opened in 1965 as an extension school. Six other extension schools were also tranferred to this school at that time. It was then transformed into a lower secondary school with the name Scotland School Secondary School with a student population of about 726.

In 1967, the school was officiated by the then cheif minister of Penang, YAB Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee. 1986 saw an increase in the number of students to 1371. In 1972 the name of the school was changed to Haji Zainul Abidin School in rememberance to the noble deed of a local Malay educationist who is none other than Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin bin Sultan Mydin of Penang.

In 1982, students with low vision were also placed in this school via a programme known as Blind Students Assimilation Programme and it was the first school in Penang to have such a programme. Blind and low vision students will study together with normal sighted students using the same curriculum and classrooms. This is to ensure that visually disabled students were able to be part of society and be independence when they leave school.

Haji Zainul Abidin school became a full-fledged secondary school in 1986 when 112 pioneer students took the SPM examination for the first time. Until March 1993, this school attained grade B status and beginning March 1993 via a circular by the Ministry of Education, the school was upgraded to grade A.

Staffs and Classes of 1993

Staff and Classes of 1989

In conjunction with the National Day, students of the school took pride in decorating their classes to show their love for the country.

Due to their enthusiasm, the History Department made it into a competition whereby prizes will be given after the school holidays for the best and innovative decoration.

The spirit of patriotism lives in SMK Haji Zainul Abidin!

The 52nd National Day Celebration School Level was carried out on the 17th of August 2009 morning. Teachers and students came to school with flags and sang the national anthem, state anthem and patriotic songs with zest and gusto.

There was also a declamation of merdeka poems by Maheshini of $ Cekal and Ahmad Shamil of 5A. A big thank you to both of you.

There was also an impromptu quiz and a few lucky students managed to walk away with prizes given out on the spot.

This year's National Day celebration was very meaningful as it coincides with the school principal's birthday. The whole school reverberated with the singing of the birthday song by teachers, staff and students. This was followed by the cutting of the birthday cake by the principal, Mr. Gan sponsored by  students of form 5. 

It was certainly a joyous occasion for the school.