It was a joyous occasion as former students of Ashby Road English (Boys) School Ipoh (now Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Kinta) Class of 1974, gathered at their alma mater on Sunday, February 26 and Monday, February 27. The reunion, which lasted for two days and a night, was organised by members of Ashby Road Old Boys (AROB).
Three former teachers and about 60 former students from various parts of Malaysia, and as far as Australia, were present. The gathering was an occasion for them to reconnect and catch up with each other after a 43-year absence. All said that they were overjoyed and happy to reunite with their schoolmates after over four decades.
A sense of nostalgia filled the atmosphere as they reminisced on the good old days and laughed over their antics at school. Datuk Seri Zulkifli bin Noordin, an alumnus from Kuala Lumpur, recalled how they would dash towards the “Milo” truck when it visited but run away in fear from the “Colgate” truck.
Zulkifli remarked that the education system 43 years ago helped shape true Malaysians who sought to live in peace with one another regardless of race, creed and religion. He added that being well-versed in both Bahasa Malaysia and English makes him no less of a Malay.
According to the President of AROB, Azizul Mohd Othman, the get-together was an opportunity for them to relive their primary school days.
“We even went for assembly this morning,” Azizul told Ipoh Echo on Monday.
Alumnus Liew Chin Voon said that the reunion was one of a kind, as primary school reunions are rare.
“We hope that such reunions will be held more frequently, every year if possible. We’re very excited to meet our teachers, and we don’t know if we’ll be able to see them again,” Liew added.
Among the activities conducted during the gathering were tele-match, bowling, karaoke and a gift-exchange session.
Leanne Tan
