HISTORY OF HAJI ZAINUL ABIDIN SCHOOL
Monday, July 19, 2010
This school was set up on 11th January 1965 with the combination of several schools such as Sekolah Menengah Lanjutan Westland, Sekolah Menengah Lanjutan Georgetown, Sekolah Menengah Lanjutan Tanjong, Sekolah Menengah Lanjutan MaCalister, Sekolah Menengah Lanjutan Jalan Kelawei and Sekolah Menengah Lanjutan Glugor.
This new Lower Secondary School was named Scotland Road Secondary School. Initially,this school consisted of Block A with 12 classrooms and a canteen. A total of 726 students ( 489 boys and 237 girls) reported to the school and were placed in 20 classrooms.: 10 in the morning and 10 more in the afternoon. The first headmaster was Mr. Lim San Hoe who was transferred from Westland Secondary School on 1st January 1965.
Actually the school started 6 months earlier; in July 1964. In that month, Mr. Lim Chiang Choo together with the students from Westlands secondary School together with Mr. Khoo-Yeoh Gan Hong together with his students from Tanjong secondary School moved to this school. Mr. Lim Chiang Choo was given the task of setting up the school. One of his duties was to level the field which was formerly a mangosteen plantation. He was also task with reclaiming a piece of land to be used as a bicycle park for the students.
In 1966, 2 blocks of buildings were completed viz Block B comprising 12 classrooms and Block C comprising two Science Lab, 2 rooms for woodwork, a storeroom, and toilet. In that year Mr. Lim San Hoe was transferred to the State Education Department and Mr. Chang Chor Yew took over as headmaster.
1967 was an important year for the school as it was officially opened by the then Chief Minister of Penang, Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, PMN on Friday 10th November ,1967. On the same year the school scout movement was initiated. This small group of scouts consisted of 15 students who later became trainers of new scouts.
In 1968, the number of students increased to 1451 students compared to 726 in 1965. In the month of April in the same year, Mr. Chang Chor Yew was transferred to Heng Ee School and he was replaced by Mr. Tang Gooi Fook. The school shone in many games and extra-curricular activities. The school took part in many events organised by MSSPP. Girl Guides was also introduced to the school and was registered as the 9th troop. St. John Ambulance cadets was also formed at the end of the first term.
In 1969, the number of teachers and students in the school increased. The number of students ballooned to 1547 and the number of teachers was 60 compared to only 39 in 1965. In that year the school organised the cross-country,and MSSPP. The school's ping-pong team also took part in the MSSPP ping-pong competition. Work to add 4 classrooms and 2 home science rooms in Block C started in that year and were subsequently completed in 1971. Mr. Tang Gooi Fook retired at the end of April. Mr. Khoo Teng Chye from Georgetown Secondary School took over as the new headmaster.
1970 was a milestone for the school as it organised its inaugural sport day at La Salle field.
Between 1971 and 1979, the school continued to progress and advance with dua headmasters at the helm. They were Mr. Khoo Teng Chye (1969-1978) and Mr. Kang Kee Heng (1979). One historical event happened on 1st march 1972 when the school was renamed Sekolah Haji Zainul Abidin as an honour to the late Tuan Haji Zainul Abidin the renown educationalist in Penang.
In 1980, Mr. Goh Hock Aun became the headmaster and he introduced several facilities for the school beween 1981 and 1982. They were the library, video room, meeting room with air-con, bigger staff room and a bicycle shed for the students.
In 1985, many new events took place. This time the school celebrated its 21st anniversary and introduced form 4 classes for the students who passed the SRP exam. Hence the school achieved the Full Secondary school standard from January 1985. Starting that year the school published its first magazine to commemorate its 21st anniversary.
“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.”- Tom Bodett
