Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak - History

History

SDAR was founded in Johor Bahru on 1 May 1956, and was first known as the Malay Secondary School, or Sekolah Menengah Melayu. The founding principles of this school were based on the suggestions included in Penyata Razak 1956 (the Razak Report). Among its objectives was to give opportunities for young Malay students in primary schools, especially those from poor and rural backgrounds, to further their studies at the secondary level. The concept was quite different from certain other Premier Schools in Malaya that were set up for the children of aristocrats and those who were more well-off in society.

When the Sekolah Menengah Melayu was founded, there was no dedicated site nor building for the school. The first group of 80 students and three teachers were temporarily housed at Sekolah Bukit Zaharah, Johor Bahru. In early 1957, half of the students (40 pupils) from the first group re-enrolled to study at the new premise in Ipoh, Perak. Along with other pupils from across the country, they became the pioneer batch of students in what then became Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR).

In May 1957, the remaining students from the first group in Johor Bahru were relocated to Tanjung Malim, Perak, where they shared the campus of Sultan Idris Teachers College (SITC), now known as Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Along with other pupils who registered there, the number of students increased to 119. Mr. R.A. Goodchild, the SITC Principal, was assigned as a temporary Principal for this new school. Two months later, Mr R. A. Goodchild was replaced by Mr. C.F. Daniels. During this period, the teaching staff was 11, which included two part time teachers.

On 5 January 1958, the new buildings for the school, situated next to SITC, were opened. En. Ariffin Mohd. Nam was appointed as the first school Principal.

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