Dweller of Merdeka, Remarkable School Principal

A Life Dedicated to Education: Josephine Amalanathan's Legacy

Josephine Amalanathan, a beacon of education in Malaysia, dedicated her life to making learning accessible to all, particularly those who could not afford school fees. Her journey as an educator began in 1955, when she started as a trainee teacher at the Convent School in Kajang, Selangor.

In 1961, at just 25 years old, Josephine was appointed the first headmistress of Sekolah Kebangsaan St Anne's Convent in Port Klang. Under her leadership, St Anne's flourished, growing into a thriving institution with over 600 students by the time she left in 1987.

Josephine was known for her firm belief in discipline and her compassionate approach to teaching. She instilled good discipline in her school, resulting in a "pin-drop silence" during inspections. Yet, her dedication to excellence extended beyond the classroom. St Anne's won the "Best Decorated and Cleanest School" competition in 1990, a testament to her high standards.

Josephine's commitment to education was evident during the declaration of Malaysia's independence. She was present at Merdeka Stadium on Aug 31, 1957, where she witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising of the Jalur Gemilang. Among the dignitaries she saw were Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Tun VT Sambanthan, and the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, whose name remains unclear in the available search results.

Josephine's legacy is one of kindness, discipline, and the belief that every child can shine. This is evident in the lives of her students who went on to become teachers and headmistresses themselves. In 2014, Josephine co-founded the St Anne's Convent Alumni Association and became its first patron. The inaugural gathering of the association took place on Jan 24, 2015, and brought together 150 former students.

Josephine retired in 1991 at the age of 55 but continued her service through offering free tuition to underprivileged children. Her dedication to education was recognised in 1989 when she was awarded the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian by the Sultan of Selangor for her decades of dedicated service.

Despite the lack of formal teachers' training institutes back then, Josephine attended a training course for "normal-class teachers" at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur every Saturday. She was more than 1,600 students under her administration at SRK Methodist Girls School in Klang (MGS Klang) after leaving St Anne's.

Parents supported teachers during Josephine's time, giving second scoldings at home if a child was scolded in school. Under her leadership, there was a dedicated slot in the timetable just for handwriting, reflecting her emphasis on the importance of good writing skills.

Josephine's story is a testament to her unwavering commitment to education and her belief in making learning accessible to all. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of educators and students in Malaysia.

Dweller of Merdeka, Remarkable School Principal