“Imagine a time,” I say, motioning towards Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney, “when this area was just developing.” Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney 1 was established in 1957. It was located within Kampung Datuk Keramat.
Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney 1 is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a place of learning. It is a place where young minds grow. The school started with only 147 students. These students came from three different schools. These were Sekolah Jalan Raja Muda and Sekolah Kampung Bahru. Also, Sekolah Tamil Sentul. Seven teachers were there at the start. Encik Yap Swee Hin was the temporary headmaster. Only six first-grade classes were available.
After three months Puan R.I. Sibert became the headmaster. Encik Swee Hin became the senior assistant. He stayed until he retired at the end of that year.
By 1959, Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney had grown. There were 589 students in seven first-grade classes and six second-grade classes. The school had 14 teachers. In March 1959, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Abdul Aziz officially opened the school. He was the Raja Muda Selangor then.
Parents wanted their children to attend Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney. It was the only English school nearby. Student numbers increased rapidly in 1960 and 1961. The government built two extra blocks. These blocks had six classrooms. Three could be used as a hall. There was also a staff room. Another block was built for extra toilets. By this time there were 797 students. They were split into 18 classes. There were 22 teachers.
In 1962, another three-story building was needed. It had nine classrooms. This made the schoolyard smaller. By 1963, Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney had 1087 students in 25 classes. The school had 33 teachers.
The school became too crowded. The Selangor Education Department had to split the students into two sessions. One session in the morning and one in the afternoon. Encik Phang Piang Fah became the headmaster for the afternoon session. Puan R.I. Sobert managed Gurney Road School One. Encik Phang Piang Fah managed Gurney Road School Two.
Both schools alternated using the building. Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney One used the building from January to June. Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney Two used it from mid-June to the end of the year. This arrangement continued every year.
In 1979, a new canteen was built. The old canteen became a library. The Parents and Teachers Association funded the library. It cost over RM40,000. In 1981, a two-story block was built. It had four classrooms and two toilets.
Today, Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney 1 continues to serve the community. It provides education and a foundation for future generations. It currently has 515 students and 46 teachers. The school has various programs including preschool. The school’s code is WBB0058. It is located in the Keramat education district.
Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Gurney stands as a testament to the importance of education. It is a beacon of learning. It has been a vital part of Kampung Datuk Keramat since 1957.