BEHRANG: IT is about an hour-and-15-minutes drive from Ipoh, Perak, to reach Kampung Behrang Ulu, which is very near Tanjung Malim.
When one reaches the Behrang toll plaza exit, it takes another 15 minutes to get to SK Behrang Ulu (previously known as Sekolah Melayu Behrang) where two of the country’s prominent political figures (freedom fighters) received their education.
Former student Johari Rasikan, 77, still lives in Kampung Behrang Ulu with his wife and children.
He recalls the difference in education when he was a pupil.
“I enrolled in the school in 1947 and remembered that children then had to really struggle at school. We had to excel in subjects to enter the upper class. Back then, we never took education for granted,” said Johari.
The 0.8ha school, according to Johari, is unique because instead of focusing on academic subjects, it emphasises survival skills for students.
“We are proud of this school. The building is well preserved. Its administration even puts up a notice board on the school’s history to remind students of its background.
“Farming, pottery and sewing classes were held.
“I remember planting vegetables in school back then but the area has been converted into a football field,” he said.
Growing up during World War 2 was not easy for Johari.
“During that time, the Japanese bombed our school. The students and teachers had to take a few months’ break to rebuild the building.”
One of his fondest memories, Johari tells the New Sunday Times, of being caned in front of the school.
Although it was painful, Johari said it was an unforgettable experience.
“Back then, we did not mess around with our teachers as we would be caned in front of the school and, sometimes, we were told to stand under the hot sun.
“Those were the days I would never forget. Most of the time, if our parents found out what had happened in school, we would also be ‘disciplined’ at home.”
Jamilah Pantau, 77, when met in Shah Alam, shared her story.
Jamilah, who was born and raised in Ulu Behrang, said she was fortunate to go to Sekolah Melayu Behrang.
“Those days, schools were not built by the government. My school was built by a Sumatran man called Sultan Baginda. There were only about 15 to 20 students in each class and there was only one class for each standard. The schools closest to mine was in Tanjung Malim and Slim River,” she said, adding that some children did not have the opportunity to go to school as they lacked transportation.
The mother of five never had to struggle when it came to studying as she was a naturally bright student but her parents did not allow her to proceed to high school.
“It is different now but during my time, women couldn’t get equal opportunity as men. We were told that there’s no point for us to further our studies because we would end up cooking for our family.
“My brother had the opportunity to further his studies in secondary school.
“My parents, however, stopped me from going to school after I completed Standard 6.
“People back then appreciated and loved education. The situation was different because we were poor. We could not afford to buy uniforms, so we were allowed to wear whatever we wished to school.
“I was lucky that my house was located across the road from my primary school.
“Some had to walk a few miles as they could not afford to own bicycles.
“I think that’s why people then were different and I’m proud to say that I went to the same school as Datuk Ahmad Boestamam and Dr Burhanuddin Helmy, two prominent freedom fighters during our time,” said the wife of a policeman.
Ahmad was a freedom fighter, politician and the founding president of Parti Rakyat Malaysia and Parti Marhaen Malaysia.
Burhanuddin held the post of Pas president from 1956 until his death in 1969. After World War 2, he set up Parti Nasionalis Malaysia.
The political party advocated Malay rights and proposed a “political union” with Indonesia.