Here’s a fact I didn’t know. I was watching some history videos on YouTube when Kuala Pilah English School popped up. Out of curiosity, I did some googling and to my surprise, it turns out that the school is actually a "sister school" to my own alma mater, English College Johor Bahru. And not just that, we’re also connected to Batu Pahat High School! Suddenly, this old Johor boy felt part of a much bigger family tree.
Kuala Pilah English School
Kuala Pilah English School, founded in 1914, carried the weight of bringing modern English-medium education to Negeri Sembilan. In 1970, it was renamed Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tuanku Muhammad (SMK Tuanku Muhammad), in honour of the state’s royal lineage. The spirit of the old school lives on in its traditions: discipline, community, and producing generations of leaders.
Batu Pahat High School
Batu Pahat High School, or Sekolah Tinggi Batu Pahat, began in 1914 and is one of Johor’s oldest schools. Through the years, it evolved but kept its iconic name, a reminder of its stature in the town. For its alumni, STBP has always been more than just classrooms: it was where future athletes, prefects, and community figures were shaped. The name “High School Batu Pahat” still carries serious weight whenever old boys gather.
And of course, there’s English College Johor Bahru, established in 1914 -- my alma mater. Known far and wide simply as “EC,” it was renamed in the 60s as Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (MSAB) to reflect its royal ties. But ask any old boy and they’ll still tell you: once EC, always EC. For me, it was the place of friendships, lessons, and memories that shaped who I am today. The badge, the colours, the pride; they stay with you for life.
Sometimes, you discover these connections later in life, and they make you smile. Three schools born in the same year. Different towns, different students, but the same mission: to prepare young Malaysians for the future. The names may have changed over the years, but the heritage and spirit remain. A shared history that quietly links us across places and generations. And that, to me, is pretty cool.
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