Penang Free School
Penang Free School is the first and oldest English School in the South East Asian region. The school founded by Rev. Sparke Hutchings in the year 1816, is located on the island of Penang, Malaysia. Its first Headmaster was Mr James Cox 1816-1821. Its original premises on Farquhar Street first housed the Hutchings School, but is now the Penang state museum. In 1928, the school moved to its current location on Jalan Masjid Negeri.Excerpts of the original charter:
"That it will be the first object of the Institution to provide for the Education of such children as would be otherwise, brought up in idleness and consequent vice, and without any means of obtaining instruction either in useful learning or in any manual employment, and to implant in them in the early habits of industry, order and a good conduct." -—from "The Original Plan of the Establishment of Prince of Wales Island, Free School, 1816".
The school can boast of being the alma mater for many famous and royal Malaysians. Amongst its famous alumni are:
- The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, also the 12th king of Malaysia.
- Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Malay actor, director, songwriter and musician.
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