First Roman Catholic Girls School
In 1886, after the mission had acquired its own piece of land opposite the original mission in Kuching, five nuns opened their education facility for five boarding and nine day-girl students. This first Roman Catholic girl’s school, St. Teresa’s is now one of the biggest schools in Sarawak.
The education for girls was extended to as far as Kanowit by Srs. Mary and Aloysius on 17 December 1888. Srs. Clare Gowan, Aloysius and Sebastian further extended it to Singghi, Bau, where they established St. Cecilia’s Convent in 1889. Earlier, Fr. Felix Westerwouldt had set up a church and boys’ school there.
First Vocational School
The Kuching Technical Secondary School was established in 1962. Its first batch of students sat for the Malaysian Vocational Certificate Examination (SPMV) in 1988. In line with the government’s effort to create a more technically skilled workforce, the school was upgraded to a technical school in 1998.
Today, it offers technical courses such as civil engineering studies, mechanical engineering studies, and electrical & electronics studies to secondary three school leavers. Vocational courses such as automotive, electronics, business management, machine-shop practice, catering and stenography are also taught.
First Government Religious Secondary School
Since the establishment of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Agama) Sheikh Othman Abdul Wahab, Matang, in Kuching in 1978, the school has received a significant increase in applications from students to study there. In 2000, the student enrolment stood at 906. At present, the school takes in students from Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman Divisions. Boarding facilities are provided for non-Kuching residents. After completing studies at the school, many students can further their studies in Islam, while the rest join the workforce in various fields.
Lowest School Enrolment
The Bario Secondary School, which was built in 1967 on an area of 40 hectares in the Kelabit Highlands, has 13 teaching staff and 158 students in five classes of Forms 1, 2 and 3. Despite having the lowest enrolment in Sarawak, the school has obtained excellent results in PMR examination and produced many intellectuals and professionals in various disciplines and fields.
School with the Most Students
Bintulu Secondary School, which has an enrolment of 3,199 students and 152 teachers, is the largest secondary school in Sarawak. There are 92 classrooms catering to the needs of 1,598 boys and 1,601 girls.
The school was opened in 1963 with Haji Matnor Munir as its first principal. Apart from taking in students from around Bintulu town, the school provides boarding facilities for those from outlying areas. At present, there are 526 boarders at the school. The increase in the number of students is due to the rapid socio-economic development experienced by Bintulu Division.
First School to Offer SPM in Malay Language
The first school to offer 32 candidates for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in Bahasa Malaysia was SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman, Matang, Kuching in December 1975. The school was also the first to field 44 students for the Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP) in December 1973.
SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching started off as a private school to cater for the education needs of the local Malays who failed the “Common Entrance” test. It was named after Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who opened the RM50 million school and its RM20 million science laboratory on 31 January 1960. A classroom was dedicated to the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee for his efforts in raising RM20,000 for the school through a charity show at the Madrasah Melayu School compound in 1962.
The Association of Ex-Students of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman (Old Star Association) was formed on 31 May 1993 under the patronage of Datuk Amar Puan Sri (Dr.) Hajjah Laila Taib, who was a former principal of the school from December 1963 until December 1964. There are now 1,178 students in 29 classes, 55 teaching staff and 10 supporting staff.
First Polytechnic
The Kuching Polytechnic established in early 1987 is situated in the foothills of Mount Serapi, about 22km from Kuching. Its first intake of 173 students in July 1989 pursued certificate courses in civil engineering, electrical engineering and accountancy. At present, the polytechnic, offers courses at certificate and diploma level to holders of SPM/SPM (V) and Polytechnic Certificate. The total number of students for the July 1999 session was 2,386 taught by a staff of 200 comprising lecturers and administrative personnel.
(To be continued)
