A JOURNEY WORTH REKINDLING Written By Maria Lina Zenaida L. Manlegro
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or more than 83 years, Kong Hua School has molded thousands of individuals into agents of social transformation by instilling the core values of service, excellence, love, and faith. Over the years, the school has significantly improved as it continuously aims to offer quality education to the youth. Today, it features state-of-the-art facility upgrades and the latest technological advancements. The institution has undoubtedly come a long way from where it began eight decades ago. From there, let us take a trip down memory lane and see how Kong Hua School has transformed throughout the years.
1930s
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In the early 1930s, the first Chinese schools in Cagayan de Oro City were established. The two schools were Chung Hua in Tiano Brothers Street and Hua Chao in Gomez Street.
1947
The school recommenced operation after the Second World War in Gomez Street since the old Chinese Club was destroyed. In 1947, the wooden building along Tiano Brothers street was completed where classes in the school year 1948-1949 were held. Still, English classes were not conducted by the school.
1937
In 1937, upon the advice of the Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Chung Hua and Hua Chao were merged and named Kong Hua Chinese School.
1950
In 1950, a permit to include an English elementary department was obtained by Kong Hua from the Bureau of Private Schools. Five years later, the school was given recognition for its full elementary course.
1973
Up to 1973, English High School graduates were required to stay for an additional two years to finish the senior years of the Chinese High School course.
With the nationalization of all Chinese schools per P.D. 167 in 1973, the school adopted the common teaching of only Chinese Language Arts in the Chinese Department. In accordance with the same P.D. 176, the name of the school was permanently set to Kong Hua School.
1955
Kong Hua opened the high school department for both English and Chinese in 1955. With that, the school's name was changed into Kong Hua Chinese High School. Its high school department was fully recognized in 1960.
1977
At the end of the school year 1977-1978, the school's main concrete building was completed. It was occupied at the beginning of the next school year.
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KHS Campus Observer
