When the school was established on 6th January 1969, it was known as the Sekolah Rendah Universiti (University Primary School). The school had initially planned to cater for four language streams, however, due to certain circumstances, only the Bahasa Malaysia and English streams were implemented. Nevertheless, the school consisted of a very multi-racial student body.
The school was a laboratory/experiment school under the administration of the Faculty of Education, University Malaya. The subjects included in its experimental programmes were Mathematics and Science, Remedial and Enrichment, Health Education, Bahasa Malaysia, English, History and Geography.
The design of the school was then quite different from other government schools. Dato' Baharuddin was the architect and the school was built at a cost of RM300 000. The school's motto was Hidup Berjasa or A Life of Service. On 28 October 1969, the school was officiated by YB Dato' Haji Abdul Rahman Yaakub, who was the Education Minister at the time.
In his speech, he had requested for a name change to Sekolah Rendah to dispel any possible misconception by the public of the school's status. Many assumed the students of the school would be given priority for a place in university. As a result, the school was subsequently renamed Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Sri Petaling (Sri Petaling Primary School) or SSP for short.
On 27 March 1976, a canteen and a dental clinic were officially opened by YB Datuk Abdul Kadir Bin Talib, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education. At the PTA AGM on 23 March 1985, a mandate was given to build a multi-purpose hall. The PTA Chairman at the time was YBhg Dato' (now Tan Sri) Mohd Desa Pachi. The construction of the hall was awarded to Peremba Berhad.
This 2-storey multi-purpose hall measuring 60' x 130' houses four badminton courts on the upper floor while a canteen was located below. The RM1 million needed to build the hall was fully funded by the PTA. Various efforts were made to raise the money. Some of the activities included a Gala Dinner at PWTC (Malam Jamuan Perdana), a Walkathon, Family Day, Food Fair, Treasure Hunt and Golf Tournaments. Such events are still being held up to this day.
Apart from Dato' Mohd Desa Pachi, other VIPs had also worked tirelessly towards this cause, namely, YAB Datin Paduka Rafidah Aziz, Datin Sri Nila (wife of YAB Dato' Sri Sanusi Junid), YABhg Toh Puan Dr. Hajah Aishah Ong (Chairperson of University Hospital) and YAB Tan Sri Hj. Muhammad Bin Hj. Mohd Taib (Selangor Chief Minister). The hall was later officiated by YAB Tan Sri Hj Muhammad Bin Hj Mohd Taib on 5 November 1988, and now stands proudly in the school compound.
Courtesy of The Alumni of SK Sri Petaling
