Free School Guide launched

 I commend my beloved alma mater, Penang Free School, for the launch of the Free School Guide during a special School Assembly this morning. It is with a tinge of irony that I couldn't be present for the launch despite my eager anticipation, due to unforeseen circumstances. However, my co-convenor, Lim Siang Jin, along with Loh Lean Kang, Andrew Lim Tatt Keong (Executive Chairman of Gama Group), Andrew Lim Chong Huat (President of The Old Frees' Association), and Hoe Kek Fei, ensured the event's success. The Guest of Honour at the launch was Mohamad Zawawi bin Ahmad, the North-East District Education Officer, and the Parent-Teacher Association chairman also graced the occasion.

The Free School Guide (FSG) has now been officially integrated into the fabric of Penang Free School, allowing everyone to delve into the school's illustrious history spanning over two centuries. Siang Jin and I devoted almost two years to the development of the FSG, and some months ago, we trained a group of students to become the first batch of FSG Ambassadors. These ambassadors will be responsible for explaining the Free School to visitors and guiding them on how to access the Free School Guide wayfinding system by scanning QR codes.

I must extend my gratitude to my friend and fellow Old Free schoolmate from Hong Kong, Cheah Cheng Hye (Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Value Partners, Hong Kong), for his unwavering faith in our commitment to see this project through to its successful conclusion. He generously sponsored a wide range of collateral materials, including posters, leaflets, buntings, portable display kits, and other information and publicity materials.

The Headmaster, Syed Sultan bin Shaik Oothuman, described today as a momentous occasion. In his address to the Assembly, he stated, "Today, we are launching a one-of-a-kind system that provides easy access, for the first time, to the rich history and traditions of our esteemed institution. This system, known as the Free School Guide, is also referred to as a cyber museum."

Elaborating on the Free School Guide, he explained, "It consists of two parts. The first part is a wayfinder that showcases our history, architectural heritage, traditions, significant figures, and even stories. The second part comprises 10 videos documenting the school's history, from its founding in 1816 to the Bicentenary in 2016. These videos are based on the 352-page book, 'Let the Aisles Proclaim: The First Two Hundred Years of the Penang Free School (1816-2016).'"

He expressed his hope that this initiative would strengthen the school spirit by allowing stakeholders, especially students, to gain a deeper understanding of the school's journey to become what it is today. "I am confident that our school staff, Old Frees, and the education community will also find it valuable and fascinating," he added. "This system will undoubtedly highlight the uniqueness of Penang Free School and disseminate knowledge about it more widely."

The Free School Guide offers numerous advantages. It can be accessed anytime and from anywhere via the Internet. For hard copies like leaflets or posters, one can simply scan the QR code. For soft copies like PDFs, clicking on the headings will take you to the Guide. Furthermore, its high portability allows the FSG to be taken anywhere to introduce the school to others, such as at events and roadshows. Additionally, it is cost-effective to reproduce and has minimal impact on the school's physical structure, eliminating the need for renovations.

"The school did not incur any expenses in building the system," Syed Sultan emphasized to the gathered guests, teachers, and students. "It was constructed and funded entirely by a group of Old Frees." He paid tribute to Siang Jin for his conceptualization and overall efforts in bringing the project to fruition. The Headmaster also acknowledged my role in providing content through the creation of "Let the Aisles Proclaim." I am deeply thankful for this recognition.

Moving forward, the Headmaster highlighted that Siang Jin and I did not want the system to be standalone additions to the school's walls. Instead, we aimed to integrate it into the school's living traditions. "To achieve this, we trained a group of student guides whose mission is to promote the system and the school. A one-day workshop was held in August to train approximately 15 students," he continued. "The school is committed to nurturing and strengthening the system, with Cikgu Nur Zahidah binti Zainol appointed as the advisor. We have also enlisted the support of our Senior Assistant, Mr. Leonard Selva."

In conclusion, Syed Sultan expressed his hope that other schools would follow in Penang Free School's footsteps and make information about their histories and traditions readily available online, thereby enhancing Malaysians' appreciation of the wealth and diversity within our education system.

Footnote: The Free School Guide represents the culmination of a lengthy process that began even before the Penang Free School Bicentenary celebrations in 2016. Its origins can be traced back to the Board of Prefects' 150th-anniversary celebrations the previous year. This led to Lean Kang and Siang Jin devising the PFS Student Leadership Workshop: Developing a Pool of Talent from 2017 onwards, and a decision to produce 10 videos on the history of Penang Free School the following year. These 10 videos were a labor of love by Siang Jin and me, with invaluable support from our classmates from the Class of 1970/72, particularly Jim Lim Teik Wah, who provided the voiceovers for all 10 videos, Quah Chei Jin, who sang the School Rally at the beginning of each video, and Kumaravello Thangiah, who served as our film consultant. The Free School Guide, like all the other projects mentioned here, is our way of giving back to society, and what better way to contribute than to our beloved alma mater, Penang Free School, where our journey began over 50 years ago. Fortis atque Fidelis.