Yuk Chai Primary School

Posted on June 10, 2009

Yuk Chai Primary School in my hometown, Petaling Jaya, was my primary school for 6 years. "Yuk Chai" literally means "nurturing the talents". The school is also known as Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Yuk Chai in Malay, and 育才国民型华文小学 in Chinese.

A roofed area for pick up and drop off of students runs from the front to the rear entrances of the school.

To meet demands for higher student enrolment, the original one-storey cafeteria was torn down and rebuilt with a 5-storey office building on top of it.

The main hall, where various activities, including graduation ceremonies, were held.

Badminton courts fill up the space within.

A poster announcing a fundraising gala for an expansion of the main hall, to coincide with Yuk Chai’s 69th anniversary. Government funding is limited for vernacular schools, where Mandarin is taught extensively as part of the curriculum in the school. But high student enrolment ensures continued stream of donations to keep these schools operating and expanding.

The science building.

A mural depicting various landmarks of the world. The closest three Chinese characters read “Canada”.

Teaching equipment had improved over the years. Overhead projectors now grace most classrooms.

A permit to leave the classroom.

Dreams and hopes of 12-year-olds.

“The Happy Abode”.

The school, country, state flag flies in front of the school. Students gathered in front every Monday morning to sing all three (national, state and school) anthems.

Despite Malaysia’s hot and humid climate spurring limitless plant growth, heavy use of the field by 3,000 students makes maintaining grass cover a challenge.

Another basketball court at the end of the field.