Persatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Persekutuan
(Federation School for the Deaf ex-students association)
History of the Development of the Federal Special Education School
Dr. C. Elaine Field proposed the establishment of a school for deaf children.
SCHOOL FOUNDATION (1952-1954)
The fate of hearing-impaired children in our homeland began to change in 1952 due to the initiative of a child health specialist at the time, Dr. C. Elaine Field. While undergoing treatment for children, Dr. Field met several deaf children and found no rehabilitation program for them, while visually impaired children had a special education school, the St. Nicholas which was founded in 1928. On this awareness, then Dr. Field feels that special education schools for deaf children should also be established. Therefore, he informed this fact to Toh Puan Lady Edith Margery Templer, the wife of the High Commissioner of Malaya who made an official visit to Penang at that time.
Toh Puan Lady Templer had attempted to hold a special meeting at the Residence, Penang on 9 December 1952. As a result, an appeal committee was set up to receive donations of money for the purpose of building a special school. So in 1954, the Federation School for the Deaf of Penang (Federation School for the Deaf or FSD, Penang) was officially opened at No. 47, Jalan Northam Pulau Pinang. FSD is a leading school throughout Malaya that provides educational opportunities to deaf children. However, the education provided at that time was only up to the primary school level.
En. R.P. Bingham, Resident Commissioner of Penang fully supports the establishment of this school and has done a lot for this school in its early stages. He is the first chairman of the Board of School Governors and has served for 3 years.
Toh Puan Lady Templer, a committee was established on 9 December 1952 for the purpose of building a special school.
R.P. Bingham, Resident Commissioner of Penang is the first chairman of the Board of School Governors.
Ms. J. M. Hickes first principal. The school started with 7 students and 2 teachers.
In 1961, Ms. Lee Kooi Jong was appointed second principal.
SCHOOL IN EARLY LEVEL (1954-1961)
Ms. J. M. Hickes (Mrs. J. M. Sundram) was appointed as the first principal of the Federal School for the Deaf. This school which has only 7 students and 2 teachers initially has grown rapidly. The age of children for admission to a hearing-impaired school is not limited. Some deaf children enter school at the age of 3 or 4 years and some start school when they are 9 years old. By 1959, the number of students had increased to 60. Students who graduate from Grade 6 do not have the opportunity to continue their studies but are given informal skills training such as making baskets and clothes hangers or sewing. This is because the Federal Deaf Children’s School at that time was only borne by volunteer bodies. The government does not have any special education programs for deaf children in both primary and secondary education or formal secondary education or vocational training.
Principal Ms. J. M. Hickes poses with teachers and staff (1957)
Vocational Training: Students learn typewriter repair techniques.
Vocational Training: Students learn typewriter repair techniques.
TOWARDS SECONDARY LEVEL EDUCATION (1961-1970)
Introducing Vocational training ……
In 1961, Ms. Lee Kooi Jong (now known as Dato ’Hajah Saleena Yahaya-Isa) was appointed principal after Ms. Hickes resigned. Recognizing that deaf students need to be equipped with work skills before leaving school so that they can live independently, Ms. Lee has consulted with toukehs from real estate offices, typewriters, barbershops and shops sewing to allow students who have completed Grade 6 to learn work skills in those places.
Fighting for Secondary Education …….
Secondary education was not provided for the deaf at that time. The party did not give permission because deaf students were considered incapable of studying up to secondary level. However, the school has tried to find a way out of dividing the primary school time into Class 1 to 10 instead of Grade 1 to 6. In this way, students who have completed 6 years of schooling can still continue their studies to grades 7, 8, 9 and 10. Classes 8, 9 and 10 are also exposed to vocational training after school hours. Every day at 2 pm, these students are sent to the places to undergo `on the job training ‘.
Meanwhile, a group of students have been registered to sit for the L.C.E. at the end of 1969. school teachers worked hard teaching those students. This effort is not in vain. FSD has made history by getting 100% pass in the L.C.E. in 1969! Deaf students have proven their abilities. As a result, the FSD received official approval to provide secondary education to deaf children in 1970.
FSD WAS ALMOST DISMISSED IN 1965 ....
In the current turmoil for higher education, FSD has encountered other problems. The premises on Jalan Northam were found to be unable to accommodate the growing number of students. So the school board also tried to find a suitable place for the construction of a new school building.
Finally in 1963, a 12-acre plot of land was found in Jalan Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah. This land was purchased from Penang Realty Ltd. at a price of 65 cents per square foot. Mr. Loh Boon Siew (later Tan Sri Loh), director of Penang Realty Bhd. contributed 15 cents per square foot and the school only paid 50 cents per square foot.
The Ministry of Rural Development contributed $ 500,000 for the construction of new schools. Next, the school building on Jalan Northam was sold for $ 340,000.00 to raise money for the new school development. According to the agreement with the buyer, the school was allowed to continue using the old building for two years until the new school was completed in 1965 as expected. Unfortunately, however, construction work on new schools has been disrupted due to squatter problems involving 23 families in the new land area.
Squatters refused to move and the school governing board failed to reach an agreement with the squatters. The struggle with the squatters continued until 1965 and as previously agreed, the school had to move out of the old building on Northam Road. So, in 1965, FSD and deaf children from all corners of Malaya facing a crisis that is no place to continue schooling. The Board of Governors recommends that the school be closed until the problem is resolved and a new school is completed. But the school principal, Mrs. Saleena, thinks that “A child’s loss of one day’s education cannot be restored. Imagine if it’s your child !!!? !!! ”
On the truth of these words and not wanting to sacrifice the educational opportunities of deaf children, Mrs. Saleena has tried her best to find a place to stay while waiting for the new school to be completed. The State Education Department through the then Chinese School Management Officer has allowed the Federal Deaf Children’s School to use the SRJK (C) Shih Chung Branch classrooms in the evening. Dormitory problems can also be solved by placing male students in the Welfare Home next to the E&O Hotel while female students are housed in Poh Leung Kok (now Cheshire Home). The administrative division had to borrow a place in the Office of Trustees in the High Court. After 6 months of schooling, they finally met again in Poh Leung Kok when they were given permission to use the entire premises as a school.
Inauguration of the New School Building in Tanjung Bungah
After the modification of the new school plan so as not to disturb most of the squatters on the land and the careful discussions with the 2 squatter families involved, the construction of the school continued smoothly. Finally, the new school building was officially opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1970. FSD is now a government school.
Toh Puan Lady Templer accompanied by the principal, Puan Saleena, philanthropist Encik Loh Boon Siew and school board members visited the new school site in Tanjung Bungah (April, 1961)
The new school premises in Tanjung Bungah was inaugurated by Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra AlHaj, Prime Minister in 1970
Perasmian bangunan Sekolah Menengah oleh Dr. Mahathir Bin Modamed.
Eleanor Culas Seorang pelajar yang unggul semasa dibangku sekolah. Beliau bertemu dengan suami isteri Jeneral Gerald templer, bekas Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Tanah Melayu semasa lawatan mereka ke sekolah
Profesor Parson berkunjung ke FSD memperkenalkan kaedah komunikasi seluruh.
ORAL METHODS FOR ENTIRE COMMUNICATION (1970)
Introducing Vocational training…..
The performance of students with hearing loss in both academic and vocational fields is increasing. Initially, Form 4 and 5 students had to be integrated into regular schools such as Jelutong Secondary School and Tanjung Bungah Secondary School in Penang. However, it was found that deaf students integrated into regular schools face various problems that are detrimental to them in learning, eventually FSD also provides upper secondary education to students who pass the L.C.E. or S.R.P. The secondary school building block was also completed and inaugurated by the then Minister of Education, Dr. Mahathir Bin | Mohamed on the 28th. Jun 1975.
Introducing the Whole Communication Method
Eleanor Culas was the first FSD student to successfully pursue her studies at Gallaudet University, a special university for deaf students in Washington D. C., USA. He was impressed with the “Manual Signs” method used by the deaf community in the United States and was confident that this method of communication would benefit the deaf community in Malaysia as well. When Professor Frances M. Parson of Gallaudet University traveled around the world, Eleanor asked Professor Parson to stop in Malaysia and share her expertise and `Manual Signs’ method with teachers at FSD.
Professor Parson visited FSD in 1976. He lived in school and tried to convince Mrs. Saleena and her teachers that whole communication methods could improve the language comprehension and mastery of children with hearing loss. Next, Professor Parson held a Whole Communication Class and demonstrated the `Manual Signs’ method to FSD teachers in the afternoon for a month.
He also had the opportunity to meet with Dato ‘Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohammad, Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister at the time and discussed the advantages of the Whole Communication method for children with hearing loss. As a result of the meeting, the Ministry of Education allowed the ‘Pilot Class’ which uses the Whole Communication Method to be started at FSD. This class is given 5 years to test its effectiveness. However, after a 3-year trial, the achievement performance of the students from the class was much better than the students from the oral class.
Finally in 1978, the Ministry of Education ordered that the Oral Method be replaced with the Whole Communication Method which includes `Manual Signs’, finger spelling, lip reading, facial expressions and body movements. With the implementation of this method, FSD teachers have held classes to introduce `Manual Signs’ for special hearing teachers from all over Malaysia at SEAMEORECSAM, Penang.
Two groups of students taught different methods. On the right is the whole communication group taught by Ms. Khoo Seok Mei and on the left is the oral group taught by Ms. Chan.
Principal Mrs. Saleena Yahaya Isa who has served for 33 years at FSD retired on 24 March 1987.
Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Minister of Education Malaysia officiated the Seleena Vocational Block in 1988. he was accompanied by Tan Sri Khir Johari, Chairman of the Board of Governors and Mr. Francis Chai, Principal of SMPKP.
Saleena Vocational Block was officiated by En. Anwar Ibrahim, Minister of Education.
SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT (1980s)
Vocational Skills Training
The school also plans vocational training programs for students who are less successful in academics. Students who fail the Primary Certificate of Education examination (form three) are channeled to the Rehabilitation class to receive vocational skills training in addition to reading and writing skills. Vocational skills provided include goldsmithing, cooking, woodworking, painting and so on. Vocational skills training is very suitable for students who are less successful in academics. Some former students from vocational skills classes are very successful in their careers. Among them, Razani Ramli is now the owner of Raza Furniture and Alumglass, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Another, Mohd. Yunus Mohd. Ismail from the sewing class is now the owner of Sri Pelamin Mohd. Yunus in Jelutong, Penang.
Pelancaran Tadika Khas untuk Kanak-kanak Cacat Pendengaran pada tahun 1985…
In the early stages, the age of admission to FSD is not set. Three-year-old deaf students are also accepted. However, since FSD was declared a government school, the age of admission to the school was set at the age of seven years like a normal school. No provision is made to start kindergarten. Realizing that the education of children with hearing loss should be started as early as possible, the school administration sought assistance from UNESCO Japan to launch a kindergarten class in 1985. This kindergarten encourages parents to attend to follow the child’s progress and also learn how to communicate with children respectively. This kindergarten class has succeeded in producing a group of deaf students who are more efficient in writing, reading and communicating with the whole communication method.
Retirement of Principal Mrs. Saleena Yahaya Isa (1987)
Principal Mrs. Saleena Yahaya Isa who has served for 33 years at FSD retired on March 24, 1987. As a most dedicated and charitable educator, all her efforts have led to the advancement of special education for deaf children in Malaysia. Throughout his service, we can see his “courage” changing public opinion and upholding “truth”. It can be said that he is a settler for every level of educational development for deaf students. So, it is fitting that he was awarded the title of Teacher in 1987 and the title of Dato ‘in 1993.
FSD was split into 2 schools in 1987… ..
Due to the doubling of the number of students and to facilitate administrative maintenance, FSD was split into Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Persekutuan (SKPKP) and Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Persekutuan (SMPKP) in 1987 after Mrs. Saleena’s retirement. Ms Khoo Seok Mei was appointed as the primary school principal while Mr Francis Chai Voon Onn was appointed as the new principal of the secondary school.
Construction of Saleena Vocational Block in 1988….
Before retiring, Mrs. Saleena visited Japan and managed to obtain a donation of $ 160,000.00 from UNESCO Japan for the purpose of starting a kindergarten section for preschool children. With this financial assistance and the efforts of the school administration under the leadership of Principal Mr. Francis Chai Voon Oon, a vocational block has been established to meet the needs of the vocational flow infrastructure. In 1988, this vocational block was officially opened by Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, the then Minister of Education of Malaysia. This vocational block is called Mrs. Saleena Yahaya Isa Vocational Block to remember the services of the former principal.
Vocational Education and Information Technology
Under the leadership of Mr. Francis Chai Voon Oon, vocational skills classes such as bricklaying, furniture making and costume making were introduced. In addition, information technology was first introduced to deaf students by holding a Computer Club. Three units of IBM PC computers and two units of Apple Machintosh computers were purchased by the school Board of Governors for learning purposes. In the service of Mr. Francis Chai, a “jogawalkathon” was held to collect a contribution of RM50,000 for the purchase of teaching aids.
FEDERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE 1990s
When Mr. Francis Chai Voon Onn retired compulsorily in April 1990, Mrs. Chan Sew Lian as Senior Assistant I carried out the duties of principal. He was appointed principal of the Federal Special Education Secondary School on January 16, 1992. Under his leadership, school facilities were further enhanced to increase the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process, such as screen installation and `overhead projector ‘in each class as well as fans for all classes. Computer hardware in the microcomputer lab was added with 6 units of 80386 computers donated by Rotary Club and three units of 80486 computers donated by the private sector. With the addition of hardware, formal Computer Literacy classes for Forms 1 and 2 were implemented in 1993 so that students were given exposure and opportunities to venture into the field of computing after leaving school.
Student Success In Computer Competition At State And National Level
The increase in deaf students in information technology was evident when the students of the Federal Special Education Secondary School emerged as champions and also won the third prize in the Penang State Computer Software Writing Competition in mid-1995. the deaf proved their ability to overcome fierce competition from mainstream students from across the state in competitions that tested intellect and knowledge. With success at the state level, the students of this school continued to win the third prize in the National Level Secondary Schools Computer Software Writing Competition organized by the Ministry of Education at the end of 1995.
Student Success In Computer Competition At State And National Level
The Federal Special Education Secondary School was declared a Grade A School in 1993 The rapid development of the school and the increasing number of students made this school eligible for upgrading to a Grade A school on March 1, 1993. With this upgrade, a new principal, Mrs. Yeoh Suan Choo was appointed as the school principal on November 15, 1995. Under the leadership he, a work training program was introduced for vocational division students. Students selected for the program work part-time at KFC Restaurant and McDonald’s Restaurant in Komtar, One Stop Shopping Center and Sunrise on weekends and public holidays. The purpose of this program is to provide exposure to the working environment for the students involved.
In 1996, with the excellence of the students of this school in proven information technology, the Special Education Department of the Ministry of Education supplied 20 new Acer branded Pentium computers to equip computer labs and enable information technology education to be carried out comprehensively. Mrs. Yeoh Suan Choo retired optionally on November 30, 1996.
Special Education Secondary School to Threshold 2000
Mrs. Mui Siew Koon was appointed to replace Mrs. Yeoh Suan Choo on February 1, 1997 to lead the school to the threshold of 2000. She continues to seek community contributions to improve school facilities. Library management is equipped with a computer donated by the Lion Club. A collection of books in the library was also added. To encourage good attitudes and behaviors among students, various individual competitions, inter-class competitions and inter-dormitory competitions are conducted. Under his leadership, the two sets of videotapes of a set of codes Malay Hand and a set of codes generated Hand English. Both video sets are the result of Mr. Tan Eng Hong’s efforts. The two sets of videos are for the use of newly appointed teachers to this school and also for parents who are interested in learning sign language.
By the year 2000, the Board of Governors had allocated money to provide Computer Lab II. This computer lab is used for the purpose of computer-assisted teaching and learning.
More Confident Deaf Students!
The 1990s saw the rate of integration of deaf students of this school with the outside community increasing. For example, the involvement of students in sports competitions, athletics, computers, dance and so on. Their involvement in various activities and competitions has not only opened the eyes of the community about the true potential of deaf students but also built their own self-confidence.
Former students venture into various career fields such as planners, clerks, self-employed, teachers, lecturers, technicians, computer graphics, programmers and others. They have shown good work performance. By the 1990s, the opportunity to enter local universities and teaching colleges had increased. In 1996, a former student of this school, Lim Chin Han was accepted into Universiti Sains Malaysia to take a Social Science course. Then in 1997, Amir Hamidi successfully entered Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to take a Computer Science course. In 1998, two former students of Lee Tur Chung and Law Soak Yin were admitted to the College of Special Education for teacher training. In 1999, Geh Lih Kher was awarded a scholarship by The Star Foundation to pursue a Bachelor of Computer Science degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia which was offered as a twin program at a private college.
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