Lyna Mohamad
Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin yesterday witnessed the swear-in ceremony of Chung Hwa School Tutong’s 53rd Board of Directors, where members signed an inauguration letter and took an oath.
The school started as the first Chinese school in the Tutong District in 1937 with only 20 pupils before it was officially registered in 1939 and relocated to a retail shop in the district to accommodate more students.
In 1940, the school was relocated again to a building on a plot of land donated by a Tutong District resident as more students enrolled. In 1952, a new building was constructed, which was officially opened by Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam on May 4, 1956.
Due to wear and tear, a new building was again constructed at a cost of some BND1 million. It opened its door on April 22, 2002.
During the early years, it received students from prominent families in the Chinese community, including that of Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin.
“Chung Hwa School Tutong will always have a special place in myheart and I have fond memories of the school,” said Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin.
Born and raised in Tutong, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin attended Chung Hwa Tutong, continuing the footsteps of his ancestors and most of his family members, including his late grandfather and father.
Feeling indebted to the school for educating him during his primary school years along with his siblings, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin has over the years made various personal contributions to ensure the school continues to provide a better learning environment for students.
Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin also contributed BND250,000 after learning that the school needed funds to build a hall and repair works.
