Princess Radin Mas Ayu’s legacy lives on. This is Radin Mas Primary School. Its story begins not in a modern classroom but within the walls of an old Istana. Imagine a grand building at the foot of Mount Faber. That was the home of Pengiran Agong of Java and his daughter Radin Mas Ayu. After tragedy struck their family the Istana became something new.
In 1926 this very Istana transformed into a school. Radin Mas School opened its doors to 40 boys. The school was small at first. It was a boys only school. However its popularity grew. An annexe was added in the 1950s to accommodate more students. The original Istana building is gone now. However its memory lives on in a painting by Ong Kim Seng a former student of Radin Mas School.
Radin Mas Primary School moved to its current location in 1984. This move was a significant one. It marked a transition for the school. The school relocated to the junction of Bukit Purmei and Lower Delta Road. It became co-educational. The boys’ uniforms changed from all-white to dark blue shorts and white shirts with dark blue stripes. The new school building is impressive. It houses 36 classrooms a large hall a canteen many specialized rooms and a field.
In 1984 the school had 1215 pupils. That number has only grown since then. Radin Mas Primary School continues to educate and inspire. It thrives today at its modern location. It maintains a link to its fascinating past. It remembers its heritage within the old Istana.
So here we stand before Radin Mas Primary School. We see a school that has evolved and grown. It’s a testament to the rich history of Singapore. It honors its namesake Princess Radin Mas Ayu. It stands as a symbol of education and progress. The school’s vibrant history is woven into its very fabric. The legacy of the past continues to shape its future.