The first Headmaster was my mother's first cousin, Lau Yung Chiong, who was brought out from China by Grand Uncle Lau Kah Tii, while his father remained in China to look after the Lau family's home.
In those days, children of brothers were all called brothers and sisters, not cousins. So Lau Yung Chiong was 2nd brother because he was slightly younger than my mother's own brother Pang Ping who was called Tui Goh or eldest brother.
All the siblings went to school without shoes. They did not have uniforms and very often only the teachers had a book.
They were taught History of China, they had to sing the Republic Anthem every morning and bow to Sun Yat Sen. Today at age 88 my mother can still sing the anthem very well.
Learning was very minimal according to my mother but a lot of discipline was taught. They also memorized a lot of Confucian sayings. Chinese literature was an important subject although Arithmetic was also taught every day.
My own Ngie Mah considered him a dear son. My grandma was the youngest of the sisters in law so she was Muiring to the nephews and nieces. She played her role well, as the youngest, the humble and quite sister in law. Whatever she wanted to do, she had to seek advice from the others, especially the educated nephews and relatives.
After passing their primary six my mother and her sister continued to study in Kwong Nang (later Chung Cheng Secondary) School. Mum passed Jr.3 before the war but she did not have a graduation photo. She taught in Kai Nang Primary school for a few years after the war. Her China born sister in law came from China after the war, my grandmother asked my mum to vacate the post so that Aunty, who was a college graduate, and would have a few children in the years to come, could take over the job and earn a salary. Teaching posts were so limited.
My younger aunt Hung Yung had this beautiful graduation photo.
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