SMK Jalan Damai facts for kids

Jalan Damai Secondary School, also known as SMK Jalan Damai, is a big national secondary school in Malaysia. You can find it in Kampung Baru, a place in Penang. This school is home to about 2370 students and has around 120 teachers helping them learn.

The Story of SMK Jalan Damai

How the School Started

SMK Jalan Damai in Bukit Mertajam opened its doors on 5th January 1970. When it first started, it had a different name: Sekolah Menengah Rendah, Bukit Mertajam. This means "Lower Secondary School, Bukit Mertajam."

Early Days and First Students

In its very first year, the school welcomed 717 students. There were 29 teachers, including a special religious teacher. The first principal, or head teacher, was Mr. A. Gopala Krishnan.

Building a New Home

When the school first began, its own buildings were still being built. So, students had to share space with another school. They used the facilities at Sekolah Tinggi Bukit Mertajam (Bukit Mertajam High School). This sharing happened during the afternoon.

By the end of 1973, the new school buildings were finally finished. These new buildings were located on Jalan Damai, in Bukit Mertajam. They included 14 classrooms, which are places for lessons. There were also 3 science labs for experiments. Students could also use 2 domestic science rooms. An industrial arts workshop was also ready. And, of course, there was a canteen for meals and snacks.

Moving to the New Campus

On 7th January 1974, a special day arrived. A total of 602 students moved into the brand new buildings. This was an exciting time for everyone at SMK Jalan Damai!