The School
The school was founded in January 1920 by Mr Shi Su.The running of the school was financed by Mr Lin Zeyang and his fellow supporters. The school catered to the needs of the young migrants from China. On 1 March 1920, the school moved to 30 Enggor Street and a day school was initiated. It helped to provide education to the children of the migrants. The Troubled Years
In August 1920, M
r Shi Su returned to China. In February the following year, Mr Lin Zeyang succeeded him as the principal. In July the same year, however, the school was closed by the landlord for default in rent payment. Led by night class students Messrs Lin Muqun, Kang Zhen-Bo, Zhuang Huiquan and Li Tienmin, the students raised enough funds to clear the debt. More obstacles cropped up. In September, new rules were laid down for the registration of schools. The Board of Directors voted for the closure of the school. Mr Lin Muqun again came to the rescue. He reorganised the school, formed a new Board of Directors and applied for registration. It was then officially registered. The school again ran into financial difficulty in 1922. And it was again Mr Lin Muqun and other night class students who saved the school. As Gongshang was a privately run Chinese school, it was unable to secure any grant from the British Government. All expenses were met by donations received mainly from the Chinese community. Times were hard. The Foundation
Under the capable and innovative leadership of Mr Lin Zeyang, the school was able to forge ahead. The Old Boys' Association was set up in 1923 - a move that proved to be of great help to the school. The Association organised activities not only to raise funds for the school but also to promote cultural activities and sports among its members. It put up shows like the 'Choir's Night', renowned plays like 'Home', 'Spring' and 'Autumn'. All were critically acclaimed. The winning feats of its basketball team spread far and wide. Mr Lin looked beyond the needs of basic education. His far-sightedness was reflected clearly in his incorporation of vocational training into the school curriculum - a move unheard of then. York Hill
The school enrolment increased rapidly and Mr Lin anticipated the need for expansion. In 1926, with the support of the Old Boys' Association, the Board of Directors and the migrant Chinese society, Mr Lin set up a committee for the school building fund. A piece of land at Outram Road, the York Hill was acquired. The school moved into its new building in June 1929, a place it could call its own. It was a pride of the time - a spacious, ultra-modern and well-equipped building. Mr Lin's dedication to the school and education was hard to match. He oversaw all aspects of the school administration, teaching methodology, building maintenance and even gardening. Nothing was too big or too small for him. Under his guidance, the school expanded and its enrolment hit 3,800 in the 50's - a great feat for a Chinese school. The school could proudly claim to have played an important role in nation building. Zeyang Hall
Mr Lin Zeyang, a bachelor, passed away of ill health on 16 July 1948. He had lived in the school quarters and spent all his time tending to the needs of the school. He left behind neither property nor money to his name. He can be deservedly called "FATHER OF GONGSHANG". Mr Chen Guoxiang succeeded him as principal. A new hall was built and named after Mr Lin Zeyang to commemorate his contributions to the school. Third LocationAfter the demise of Mr Lin Zeyang, the principals succeeding him were :
Chen Guoxiang 1949 - 1964
Yu Songnian 1964 - 1970
Chen Dexiao 1971 - 1975
Yang Mazhu 1975 - 1984
In the late seventies, the school faced the problems of urban redevelopment and an ageing population in the vicinity. The school enrolment plummeted. It was time to move to a new location. In a series of meetings in 1984 between the school management and the Ministry of Education officials, it was agreed that the school be moved to Tampines New Town. It was renamed Gongshang Primary School in place of The Chinese Industrial and Commercial Continuation School (N.B. Gongshang means industrial and commercial). Then Mr Yang Mazhu retired at the end of 1984. He was succeeded by Mr Wee Fui Twee, our incumbent principal (1984-2001). The school was temporarily housed in Tampines Primary School building until 1987 when our own premises at Tampines Street 42 were completed. It was declared open by the late Dr Tay Eng Soon, former Senior Minister of State for Education, two years later. Now the school has a pupil population of more than 2000.
