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A tweet by part-time photographer @lamkanahraf recently blew up after he revealed that his grandmother used to be a teacher at Bukit Bintang Girls’ School (BBGS)
The now-viral Twitter thread sparked responses from several former students as well as children of former teachers at the school.
Long before Bukit Bintang became the busy shopping hub that it is today, BBGS was an iconic landmark in the area
Founded in 1893 by European missionaries in Brickfields, BBGS was the oldest school in KL surpassing other famous establishments, such as:
– Victoria Institution (1893)
– Methodist Girls’ School Kuala Lumpur (1896)
– Methodist Boys’ School Kuala Lumpur (1897)
– Convent Bukit Nanas (1899)
– St John’s Institution (1904)
– St Mary’s (1912)
– Maxwell School (1917)
Formerly known as the Chinese Girls’ School, BBGS eventually had its name changed when it moved to Bukit Bintang Road in 1930.
In 2000, the popular landmark’s building was demolished, making way for what is now Pavilion KL
That same year, the school had its name changed to SMK Seri Bintang Utara (SBU) and it was moved to Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras.
It then became known as one of Malaysia’s first smart schools.
Despite its many changes through the years, its students, known as BBGSians, still treasure fond memories of their younger days at the school
In recent years, former students and teachers have held reunions, as they reminisce on the good ol’ days.
To some, BBGS was crucial in allowing young women to be educated at a time when Malaysians were wary of sending their daughters to school. Among the more elite schools of its time, BBGS was built, allowing both the poor and rich to attend. It is therefore often seen as iconic to Malaysia’s development.
Here are more photos of what BBGS used to look like before it was demolished:
Image via Bukit Bintang Girls’ School
Image via Bukit Bintang Girls’ School
Image via Bukit Bintang Girls’ School
Image via Bukit Bintang Girls’ School
