Tan Kiar Lew, Headmaster (1939-51)

Tan Kiar Lew (right) with his eldest daughter Tan Ghim Chin,

youngest son Tan Teik Boon and grand daughter Tan Chui 

Peng. Chui Peng is Teik Boon's eldest daughter — 1973

This short biography of Tan Kiar Lew, one of the first Asian headmasters of Westlands School, shows the diverse interests of teachers of those days — in the subjects they taught, in extra-mural activities of the school and in Penang society as a whole. One of Tan’s sons, Tan Teik Beng, also had an illustrious career in education, holding such positions as Chief Education Officer in Johore, Penang and Selangor. The following is written by his youngest son, Tan Teik Boon, who worked with Shell.

Tan Kiar Lew with eldest grandson Tan Seang Hock in Hong 

Kong, Nov 1979. Seang Hock, like many of his other family 

members, went to Westlands Primary, then Penang Free 

School. Seang Hock's years in those schools were 

WPS (1958-63), PFS (1964-70)

Mr Tan was born in 1896 and he started work at the age of 19. He taught at the Penang Free School which was situated in town before it moved to Green Lane. He taught mainly English and his favourite subject, mathematics. His forte was in numbers and calculations, as he excelled in this field.

He was very active in scouting as a student and as a teacher. He attended scout jamborees locally as well as overseas and played a very active leadership role in this field.

He was transferred to be the Headmaster of Westlands School in 1939. He continued his active life in the school and brought about many changes to improve the school building, education, sports and extra-mural activities.

The May 1939 issue of the Penang Free School magazine says:
"Early this year, Mr Tan Kiar Lew left us to take up his
appointment as Headmaster of Westlands School. He has been
with the school for a long time, having taught for a period of
twenty-six years. We are proud of his promotion and extend
our best wishes to him."

An important activity introduced was Indian club swinging for the students. It gained popularity and was a spectacle in town — especially with the lights attached to the clubs swinging in unison in the dark at night concerts and exhibitions. Mr Teoh Chooi Hor (“water tiger”) was the teacher who brought up the school in this spectacular display.

His headmastering period was interrupted by World War Two, when the Japanese used the school for their own purposes. Mr Tan had to use the Japanese language for the then office administration, thanks to his earlier education in the Chinese language. He could interact the use of the two languages well.

He resumed as Headmaster of the school after 1945 and started to rebuild the school to its glory in 1946 till he retired at end-1951. The old teachers then included Bobby Goh, Abah Rahmes, Sheik Ji, Tang Gooi Kong, Lim Kean Chye and Teoh Chooi Hor.

Apart from education, Mr Tan was also active in public service activities during the pre-retirement and post-retirement period. He was active in the Penang Rotary Club, the Junior Civil Service Association, Hu Yew Seah and the Tan Kongsi. He also served in the Penang Cooperatives Society and the Penang Buddhist Association committees.

Mr Tan passed away in 1988, aged 92.

Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr & Mrs Tan Kiar Lew: Mr Tan (in the dark suit) speaking to Datuk Koh Sin Hock at the celebration. On the left was Mrs Tan (Mdm Lim Chin Kim). The man giving a speech was Tan Sri Saw Seng Kew. The other person at the table was Mr Tan Cheng Tit, Tan Sri Saw's brother-in-law. The event was held on 27th December 1967 at the Chopsticks Restaurant, Hotel Ambassador, Penang Road