History Of Mahathma Gandhi Kalasalai

   Before the World War 2, a small number of Indians worked at Taman Melayu Railways , Public Work Dept and Town Council, lived in Sungai Siput (U). The local Indians here worked together to form a Tamil school.


   Nesamani formed  the Tamil Methodist School. After world war 2, in 1946, Shanmuganatha, a Sri Lankan, started a new school near Sri Subramaniam temple with an enrolment of 50 pupils. It was named as “Shanmuganatha Vithiyasalai” in 1949, this school was sponsored by the government. Mr Poniah was selected as the headmaster.

   In 1951, Mr. R.P Ramasamy a member of  “Pertubuhan  Gandhi Sewa” decided to build a school consisting 150 pupils. Our late Y.B Tun V.T. Sambanthan, the former Minister, was the President of the New School Building Committee.

   Mr. A.M.S Periasamy Pillai and Mr.V.M. Sundaram JMN,JP, two well known people in Sungai Siput (U) had donated a 3 ½ acre land in remembrance of their late fathers.

a)      The late A.M Suppiah Pillai

b)      The late Veerasamy Pillai

    Later Mr. A.M.S Periasamy Pillai and V.M. Sundaram JMN,JP donated a fund of RM 25,000 each to build the building. The School Building Committee later collected donation from teachers, estate clerks, civilians and estate workers in Sungai Siput area to build the building. Everyone of them  donated a day or two of their daily salaries for the whole cause. With the donation from well wishers, the new building which consist of 6 classrooms, a science class and a hall was planned.

    On the 12^th of January 1952 , a well known Yogi from India by the name of Suddanatha Baratthiar laid  foundation stone for the building and also composed school songs which are still in use today. He named the school as Mahathma Gandhi Kalasalai. In the centre of the school hall, a statue of Mahathma Gandhi was placed. After the opening of Mahathma Gandhi Kalasalai, Tamil schools in other places such as Heawood Estate, Veerasamy Estate, Jalong Tinggi Estate, Kemiri Estate and Shanmuganatha Vidyasalai School was closed  down to combine with this school.

Opening Ceremony

   On 14^th  August 1954, the new building was officiated by President of United Nation Mdm. Vijayalechumi Pandit. She was the sister of India’s First Prime Minister ‘Pandit Jawahalal Nehru’. With the increasing number of pupils, a second building with 9 classrooms was planned. For the first phase, only 5 classrooms were built. The expenses for the 5 classrooms had been sponsored by as follows :

a)      One classroom by the family of Mr.Veerasamy

b)      One classroom by the family of Mr.A.M Suppiah Pillai

c)      One classroom by Mr.N.T.S.Arumugam Pillai

d)      Two classrooms from donation of well wishers 

   Foundation stone for this new building was laid by Y.B. En Khir Johari Education Minister, on 22^nd January 1958. Due to the increasing number in pupils enrolment the building of another 4 classrooms had been proposed. Foundation stone for the remaining 4 classrooms was laid by Thavathiru Sithiramuthu Adigal in 1960. Since its formation until today SJK(T) Mahathma Gandhi Kalasalai Sungai Siput (U) has been managed by 17 headmasters.

   In 1982, the school canteen was built with a total cost of Rm 17,000. The cost to build canteen was sponsored by Y.B Dato Seri S.Samy Vellu, former Works Minister (RM12,000) and Education Ministry (RM5,000).

   In 1993, a new 3 storey building was constructed with an estimated cost of more than RM1 million. The cost for this building was the effort of YB.Dato Seri S.Samy Vellu.

   In May 2013 a new sports Arena / multi purpose court (35 ft by 130ft) was constructed with a total cost of RM 174,000.The total cost for this arena was the effort of Y.B. DATUK SERI PALANIVEL A/L K. GOVINDASAMY ,MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENT

 

LIST OF HEADMASTERS 

NO.	NAMES	PERIOD
1.	MR. S.MUTHU REDIAR	JUN 1953 – 1955
2.	MR. V.ARULRAYAN	1955 - 1957
3.	MR. N. ANANDARAJ	1957 - 1960
4.	MR. S.KALYANASUNDRAM	1960 – MAC 1963
5.	MR. G.RAMALINGAM	APRIL 1963 – SEPT 1963
6.	MR. S.KALYANASUNDARAM	OKT 1963 – DIS 1969
7.	MR. R.S MUNIANDY	JAN 1970 – SEPT 1974
8.	MR. S.POORACHANDRAN	OKT 1974 – DIS 1979
9.	MR. M.KRISHNAN	JAN 1980 – OGOS 1982
10.	MR. M.SAHUL HAMID PPT(MEMANGKU)	OGOS 1982 – NOV 1982
11.	MR. S.SUPPIAH	NOV 1982 – OCT 1986
12.	MR. A. SUBRAMANIAM	OCT 1986 – FEB 1993
13.	MR. P.SUBRAMANIAM	MAC 1993 – FEB 2003
14.	MR. N.MANIAM	MEI 2003 – NOV 2003
15.	MR. S. SUPERMANIAM	DIS 2003 -  MAC  2006
16.	MR. S. SIVARAMAN	MAC 2006 – DIS 2006
17.   18.	MR. K. CHENASAMMY MR.S.VEERAMUTHU S/O SINNATHAMBY   B.Ed(Hons),M.Ed (USM)	DIS 2006  -   MAC 2011  16 mac 2011-

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