Remember those old wooden schoolhouses? SK Hulu Kelang started just like that. Imagine 1910. A small school nestled near the Klang River. Only fifteen students. One teacher teaching everything.
SK Hulu Kelang our focus today boasts a rich history. It’s one of Ampang’s oldest schools. It even appeared in a P Ramlee film Masam Masam Manis around 1965. Students’ lines? “Teacher likes playing football. Teacher plays football every day”. That building is now called the Tan Sri P Ramlee Building.
The original school building? Believe it or not it was a shop. Built way back in 1883. It became a school in 1910. A humble start. In 1913 the first proper building rose. Round wooden posts a nipah roof and an unpaved floor.
Growth came slowly. In 1938 they added a floor. Still wood. Electricity and running water arrived much later in 1964. A huge step for SK Hulu Kelang. In 1974 a two-story stone building appeared. Four classrooms an office toilets a canteen and even a headmaster’s house.
More growth followed. In 1981 they built another two-classroom wooden structure. Then in 1987 an eight-classroom two-story building. Today SK Hulu Kelang has four buildings fourteen classrooms and a large playing field. From humble beginnings to a thriving school.
The school’s popularity increased dramatically in 1979. Development in Hulu Kelang brought a student surge. By 1982 the student body doubled from 350 to 700. Ustazah Habsah remembers 184 students in 1966. Eight teachers handled everything.
In 1993 SK Hulu Kelang celebrated its 100th anniversary. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated. Famous Malaysian artists performed. Think Sheila Majid Zainal Abidin and Pak Pandir. Quite a celebration.
SK Hulu Kelang has come a long way. From a tiny school in a shop to a vibrant educational center. It’s a testament to the area’s growth and to the dedication of teachers and students throughout its history. The school’s journey reflects the spirit of Malaysia itself. A blend of tradition and progress.