Established in 1928 Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Union’s story begins not in a grand building but in a Methodist church on Madras Lane. Classes were held there. Funding came from Christian organizations. Madam Lim Su Lian was the first headmistress. That same year the school’s board of directors formed. Encik Goh Guan Ho became the first chairman.
By 1929 Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Union boasted three kindergarten classes and two Grade 1 classes. Primary school classes were in a rented room near the kindergarten. The school grew quickly. More space was needed.
In June 1931 Puan Tan Choon Lan took over as headmistress. Madam Seah Kok En followed in 1932. When Madam Seah resigned the school’s chairman Encik Chew Cheng How managed things. Rapid growth in 1935 led to renting a bungalow on Lorong Hutton. The kindergarten became Sekolah Union. En Huang Mao Ting chaired the board. Encik Wang Lek Oo became headmaster in 1936. He started teacher training classes for kindergarten teachers.
The school planned a new building. Encik Chew Cheng How and Encik Ong Keng Seng donated RM10000.00. In 1937 Encik Aw Boon Hor gave RM15000.00 to buy land on Jalan Burma. Construction began November 27 1937. It finished April 30 1938. Encik Chew San Yu JP officially opened the building.
Madam Looi Chooi Cheng was headmaster in 1939. She converted the teacher training classes into lower secondary classes. Seventeen students graduated that year. The Pacific War interrupted schooling in late 1941. Japanese forces used the school building.
After the war ended in 1945 acting headmaster Encik Ang Tee Hooi reopened Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Union. Kindergarten and lower primary classes resumed. Upper primary classes returned in 1947. In August 1948 Madam Ch’ng Kheng Choo became headmistress of the primary school. She worked to restart secondary classes. These opened in 1951.
Lack of classrooms led to building two new ones above the canteen in 1955. The next year the primary school received full government funding. Its name changed to Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Union. The school’s management separated into secondary primary and kindergarten sections. Madam Ch’ng Aun Pang became the new primary headmistress. Madam Ch’ng Kheng Choo remained secondary school principal and kindergarten headmistress.
In 1959 a committee formed to build a new secondary school building. Land on Jalan York was purchased. Construction began in 1961. The following year the secondary school received full government funding. Its name became Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Union. The board appointed Madam Teh Looi Ai to head the kindergarten. Madam Ch’ng Kheng Choo remained principal. In 1963 teachers and students moved to the new Jalan York building. Upper secondary classes began that year. In 1964 Madam Neoh Poh Chuan became kindergarten headmistress. Thirty-two students graduated from upper secondary in 1965. The Union Alumni Association formed in 1968.
This rich history continues. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Union stands as a testament to perseverance. It is a beacon of education in Georgetown Penang.