KHS History and Timeline

Written By Maria Lina Zenaida L. Manlegro

For 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2020

In the school year 2020-2021, Kong Hua School switched to online learning after a global epidemic has hit the country.

2016

Conforming with the Republic Act 10533 of the Republic of the Philippines, Kong Hua School opened its Senior High School Department in the year 2016.

2015

In 2015, the construction of Kong Hua School’s state-of-the-art science centrum building began. It was established in preparation for the K-12 senior high program. It is where the science, culinary arts, and iMac laboratories are situated.

2007

On the school's 70th founding anniversary, it has already established a modern preschool building, a huge gymnasium, a pastoral formation center at Taytay, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, a state-of-the-art auditorium, two fully-furnished libraries, and a functional speech laboratory.

1987

In 1987, upon the Board of Trustees' invitation, the five Hijas de Jesus Sisters (F.I) headed by Sr. Teresa Yuen, came to Kong Hua School as its new administrators. In 2009, the Hijas de Jesus Sisters (F.I) bid their farewell to the school after 23 years of service.

2017

On the 15th of December 2017, Kong Hua School was granted Level I Accredited Status.

Under the priests’ administration, many advancements were made to further develop the children’s skills and talents. The school enhanced its laboratories and offered special classes on arts, dance, ballet, sports, and music.

2010

In 2010, Kong Hua School conducted a self-survey in hopes of acquiring accreditation from the Phillippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

2009

The sisters were succeeded by the priests of Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society, who improved the school even more. They were Fr. Emmanuel S. Regalado, LRMS, the Director, and Fr. Peterson Tieng, LRMS, the head of the Center for Christian Formation, Chinese Department, and Finance Office.

Layout By Mary Kate “Chai” Saguin

Source: Kong Hua School’s Student Handbook (Revised Edition)