Funds needed for KGV school hall

The Star

2 days ago

IT is not often we hear of students who left school decades ago coming forward to help their alma mater, either financially or in kind.
Former students of SMK King George V (KGV) in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, had planned to build a clubhouse like what the Old Paulians did for St Paul's Institution, but decided to build a multipurpose hall instead.
Old Georgian Association (OGA), led by their former president and state police chief Datuk Osman Salleh, had dropped plans for a clubhouse in place of a multipurpose hall about 10 years ago.
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, who is also a former student, performed the groundbreaking ceremony in July 2016 and, at the same time, urged former students to contribute.
OGA carried out several fundraising activities over the years and managed to raise more than RM1mil for the project.
But the association is still short of funds, as the cost has since increased to an estimated RM2.5mil.
Abdul Aziz showing an artist's impression of the new school hall.
OGA committee member Abdul Aziz Hamzah said the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and inability to raise the targeted amount.
Abdul Aziz, who has been the school's Parent-Teacher Association chairman since 2018, said efforts were now underway to raise the funds as the project's piling work started in February.
'The school desperately needs a bigger hall, as the current one, which used to have only one badminton court and where legend Datuk Punch Gunalan used to train, can only accommodate some 300 students.
'The new hall will, among other things, have four badminton halls, a stage, toilets and changing rooms, and it will be able to accommodate up to 800 students,' he said, adding that the present hall could not be expanded as it was a heritage building.
The school currently holds its assemblies and other events that require the attendance of all students in an open area.
KGV, established in 1923, was initially known as the Government English School.
In 1928, its name was changed. Today, it has some 870 students in forms one to five.
Abdul Aziz said OGA, which has some 1,000 members, was bent on building the hall as a mark of gratitude.
'We Old Georgians would like to leave behind a legacy and to be forever connected to the school.
'But to make it happen, we need to raise more funds so that the hall can be completed on schedule by September next year,' he said, adding that the date was also significant as it would mark a century of the renaming of the school.
He said once completed, the hall could also be used to hold examinations, teaching and learning activities as well as sporting events.
Abdul Aziz said the new hall, which was being built near the school's famous Georgian Green field, could also be used during sports festivals or tournaments such as rugby, cricket and softball, which KGV was known for.
'OGA will hand over the hall, which we plan to call Georgians Hall, to the school once it is completed.
'We are hoping former students will come forward and support us financially and even make contributions in instalments if they wish to,' he said, adding that the PTA would also be roped in to help.
Those wishing to contribute can call 018-979 7455 (Aziz), 019-660 7288 (OGA secretary Eric Lee) or deposit their donation to the association's RHB Bank account (2550 4700 0002 91).