Section 87: SJK(C) Chung Hua

After nearly 40 years of history, Laddes Geddes Tarka Mesra Pintar Kindergarten has officially announced its closure, leaving people to sigh at the passing of time. This decision was heavily impacted by the serious effects of the pandemic and is closely related to the government's recent efforts to regulate the legitimacy and standards of kindergartens. Strict enforcement of education regulations led to the kindergarten's forced closure at the end of 2020.

Chairman Leong Kong Ying(梁广然) and director Low Nam Cheong(刘南昌) of Ladang Geddes Tarka Mesra Pintar Kindergarten pointed out that nowadays, opening a legitimate kindergarten requires applying for licenses and certifications from multiple government departments, including the government, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and others. Moreover, due to the lack of a proper land deed, the process of legalization becomes even more challenging. Especially the regulations set by the Ministry of Education are very strict, and any violation could result in heavy fines that are difficult to bear.

In 2020, the last batch of students graduated from this kindergarten, putting an end to its 40-year history. The students expressed their deep reluctance, but they had to accept the reality. This kindergarten was the only one established in the name of Mahua in Jempol County and was one of the earliest kindergartens in Ladang Geddes. Many middle-aged residents of Ladang Geddes New Village had graduated from this kindergarten.

It is known that the kindergarten was founded in July 1982, and a grand opening ceremony was held in the opposite town hall, presided over by the late state assemblyman Yu Guozhen(余国振). The first chairman at that time was Leong Hin Yong（梁显龙）. In the 1980s, the number of students reached more than 60, which was the peak enrollment. However, with the outflow of population from Ladang Geddes New Village, the number of students gradually decreased to around 30 in the 1990s. In recent years, with the emergence of new private kindergartens, the number of students remained at around ten or more.

Leong Kong Ying(梁广然) revealed that when the kindergarten was first established, there were no proper buildings, and classes were held in the town hall. Before there were kindergartens in Ladang Geddes, parents had to send their children to Bahau for classes, which took a considerable amount of time for transportation. However, the establishment of this kindergarten at that time solved many parents' concerns.

Initially, to accommodate the parents' available time, the kindergarten's classes were held from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. With the changing times, the kindergarten continued to progress, and after considering the opinions of many parents, it switched to morning classes around 5 to 6 years ago.

The closure of Ladang Geddes Tarka Mesra Kindergarten marks the end of an era and prompts us to reflect on how to better promote the development of early childhood education and meet the demand for high-quality early education from parents and the community. This precious history will forever remain in the hearts of the people in Ladang Geddes New Village, encouraging them to continue contributing to the cause of education.

The History of Chung Hua School

In 1936, our ancestors chose to establish a Chinese primary school in Ladang Geddes, Negeri Sembilan in the spirit of promoting education, nurturing students and carrying forward the rich heritage of Chinese culture, but there is no name for the school.

In 1937, the school moved into a new building constructed by the Dunlop Plantation Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. The school was named “Nan Hua Public School”, and the first principal was Mr. Zhang Wen Hua (spelled from Mandarin). In the beginning, the school had about 10 students.

The outbreak of the Second World War led to the suspension of Nan Hua Public School. In 1947, Nan Hua Public School was reopened and renamed as SJKC Chung Hua Ladang Geddes.

In 1967, Dunlop Plantation Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. decided to sell the entire rubber plantation in Ladang Geddes to M/S.V.K. Sandaram and M. Nadchatiram. On 10th April of that year, the new owners subdivided the plantation for sale. On 4th September, Mr. Wong Suk Chang (spelled from Mandarin) was elected as the Chairman to the School Board of Directors. In 1968, the owners donated five acres of school land to the government with the hope of transforming the school into a fully subsidized primary school.

In 1979, the headmaster Mr. Cheong Sheng Ho (spelled from Mandarin) retired. On 1st March of the same year, Mr. Tan Goh was officially appointed as the new headmaster. In 1981, Dato Lee Sun Wah was elected as the Chairman to the School Board of Directors. With the support and contributions from members of the School Board of Directors and the villagers, a field was completed.

In 1982, with the assistance of the Administrative Councilor Mr. Yee Kok Ching, a government grant of RM200,000 was successfully obtained to build a new double-storey school building.

On 31st October 1987, SJKC Chung Hua Ladang Geddes celebrated its 50th anniversary with a banquet attended by about a thousand guests at the Ladang Geddes Hall. The occasion also saw Dato Hon Choon Kim, member of Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly, presided over the opening ceremony of the new, double storey school building on behalf of our Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Woon See Chin. In 1995, SJKC Chung Hua Ladang Geddes finally obtained its land title.

On 8th November 1997, the school celebrated its 60th anniversary with an art exhibition and opening ceremony of a new air-conditioned library. Datuk Lilah bin Yasin, member of Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly, was invited to preside over the opening ceremony. On 15th November, the school held another banquet of a thousand guests at Ladang Geddes hall, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary celebration.

In 1998, the village head of Tham Nui Chong, subsequently conferred the title of “Dato”, was elected as the Chairman to the School Board of Directors. To improve the school’s facilities, the school decided to purchase 15 computers and established a computer class in the following year.

On 15th November 2007, the 70th anniversary celebration dinner was held at Ladang Geddes Hall to raise funds for the old school building. The Deputy Minister of Education, Dato Hon Choon Kim was invited to officiate the opening ceremony.

In 2012, with the collaboration of principal Mr. Wong Kuek Yoon and members of the School Board of Directors, over RM140, 000 was successfully raised for SJKC Chung Hua Ladang Geddes to upgrade the school’s facilities.

In 2014, Mdm. Lee Chet Yin took over as the head of SJKC Chung Hua Ladang Geddes. On the eve of the Year of the Horse, the school organized a Chinese Calligraphy competition. The Assistant Director of the Chinese Language Education Department, Miss Er Shan Shan and the Assistant Director of the Primary Schools Division of Negeri Sembilan Education Department, Mr. Yap Kep Fong presided over the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting for the opening of basketball court building.

In 2014, the school successfully applied to the government for 20 computers and established a computer room. In 2015, SJKC Chung Hua Ladang Geddes was hit by a wind disaster, which causing extensive damage to the school. The school suffered property losses exceeding RM100,000.

28th July 2017, the school held a book launching ceremony for “Rainbow in Books”, a collection of essays by students in the states. Immediately after the event, all three major institutions of the school were involved in preparing for another grand 80th anniversary celebration dinner, “Bound by Love for 80 Years”. A congregation of 93 tables for the banquet raised as much as RM222,222.

In 2018, Mr. Low Nam Cheong took over as a Chairman of the school. In the same year, the school was sponsored by Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang Rotary Club for the upgrading of the sports room and also the all new water dispensers. In 2020, alumnus Dato Sam Yuen @ Sam Chin Yan donated exercise books worth RM5000 to benefit the students of the school.

In 2019, the school won the title of The Cleaness School Toilets in Negeri Sembilan. Followed by the Best Religious Room in Negeri Sembilan in 2020.

In 2020, COVID-19 pandemic broke out. On 12th August and 14th October 2021, the roofed basketball court of the school was used as a vaccination center for the Ladang Geddes district. During the recently celebrated 2023 Chinese New Year, the school successfully raised a record breaking activity fund of RM50,000.

The school has been established for over 85 years. It is a considerable period in the journey of life. However, education is a long term endeavor that required continuous effort. Throughout the years, the school and enthusiastic individuals have always maintained the spirit of the school’s founding fathers, striving to cultivate talents for the benefit of our future generations. Continously investing their time, energy and resources, they have made valuable contributions for the education of the local children and subsequently nurtured outstanding talents for our country.