#12 Alsagoff Arab School

When we arrived at the school, it seemed that the primary school girls were having their breaktime. The girls were traditionally dressed and donned Islamic headresses. There were no boys around because the Alsagoff school is a madrasah for girls only.

• When was this school founded and by whom?

The school was founded in 1912 by a wealthy Arab trading family, the Alsagoffs.

• What kind of education did it provide for the Malay children?

The school provided Malay children with Islamic education in addition to subjects taught in mainstream school. It is rumoured that students that attend madrasahs take up to 13 subjects at a time!

• What did graduates of this school went on to become?

The graduates of the Alsagoff school as well as other madrasahs tend to become Islamic religious teachers or leaders.