南洋华侨中学从1919年建校至今一百年。这所经营至今历史最久的华文中等学府,除了是南洋华人“十年于兹”克服多重困难兴建起来的,其持续提供高素质教育更是由于初期倡办人制订了正确的办学理念与管理方针。从1918年6月份成立“中学筹办会”,紧接着再成立“正式董事部”,以至于1919年3月份新加坡南洋华侨中学正式开学,这短短十个月内南洋各地华人,尤其华校师生积极响应与支持,加上倡办人的合理策划与经营,体现出全南洋华人社会共谋福利的精神。本文正是以这十个月中筹办会至董事部兴建中学的一系列过程与措施为论述对象,弥补目前新加坡南洋华侨中学历史研究中的缺失,更希望从中展现出当初中学倡办人运筹帷幄的坚毅精神。
The Chinese High School in Singapore was established 100 years ago in 1919. The well designed academic and management strategies implemented by the initial management committees are the main reasons for its continued high education standards, and hence currently being the Chinese secondary education institution with the longest history. From the establishment of the secondary school organizing committee in June 1918, and the subsequent setting up of the board of directors, to the formal opening of The Chinese High School in March 1919, the strive for betterment within the Chinese societies in Southeast Asia is clearly manifested in this ten months, by the wide spread support among the Chinese communities and the coordination within the board of directors. This paper, by way of chronicling the planning and preparation stages within this ten months, aims to remedy for a lack of research in this topic.