Article in Star newspaper today on Mary Hughes's, daughter of Mike and Jean,  visit to Penang and Salma Khoo, daughter of Khoo Tiang Lim, Biology and Zoology teacher during Mike's tenure at PFS.

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English books to inspire students

Big plus for students: (From left) Khoo Salma sharing a light moment with Abdur- Razzaq, Mohd Radzi and Mary Hughes during the books presentation ceremony at the Penang Education Department in Jalan Bukit Gambier.

ARECA Books has donated 280 copies of two English books to the Penang Education Department for the benefit of secondary school students.

The books that themed Malaysia’s post-independence would be placed at the libraries of selected secondary schools on both the island and mainland.

The two titles are ‘The White Crocodile’s Tale: My Memoirs’ by J.M.B Hughes, and ‘Giving Our Best: The Story of St George’s Girls’ School, Penang, 1885-2010’ by Khoo Salma, Alison Hayes and Sehra Yeap Zimbulis.

Mohd Radzi Idris, representing the state’s Education Department, received the books from Areca Books managing director Khoo Salma during a simple ceremony at the department’s building in Jalan Bukit Gambier recently.

He said the interesting stories shared by the authors would inspire the students and help teachers to improve the standard of education.

“These two titles carry deep symbolic meaning for those born after Merdeka.

“It is about the aspiration of early educators in Penang,” said Mohd Radzi.

He added that it was admirable for private owned business to contribute reading materials for the benefit of students.

Khoo said local students should have access to books about Penang and its educational excellence.

“Hopefully, this will inspire them so that they can continue with the state’s fine tradition of achieving academic excellence,”she said.

Also present were Areca Book founding partner Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, J.M.B Hughes’s daughter Mary and a leading alumni of Penang Free School J.C Rajarao.

Mary said she was happy that students would be able to read the novel written by her late father.

“This is because the story was inspired by his days of teaching in Penang Free School,” she said.