[ School History ] 


The school started in 1959 in conjunction with the implementation of the National Secondary School Education Policy. During that time the pioneer students were placed temporarily at the Government English School Pontian. (The present Tengku Mahmood Iskandar Primary School). In 1965, the students were moved to the present premises which was orignally planned for the Rural Continuation School.

The school was originally known as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pontian. It was officially opened by the then Minister of Education, YB. En. Khir bin Johari on the 12th of March 1967. The name "Dato' Penggawa Barat" was derived from the title of a Johore dignitary who ruled the South-west of Johore region which included Pontian district. Dato' Abdul Samad Ibrahim held the post of Dato' Penggawa Barat during the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar.

Dato' Penggawa Barat Secondary made history as the first secondary school to practise the "Text Book Loan Scheme" for its students. It became one of the very few schools in the Peninsula to have such programme.

The year 1970 marked a new phase in the academic development of the school, when the Pure Science subjects were introduced. In the early stage, a few graduates from Indonesia were placed in the school, particularly to teach Pure Science subjects and Mathematics.

In 1978, the form Six Arts classes were introduced. Forty three pioneer students were placed in two classes. In the following year, the Form Six Science classes also started in the school.

The school physical development began with only three blocks of classrooms, three workshop, two hostels, a canteen quarters for the Principal and teachers, and the workers' quarters which completed its construction in 1964.

In 1972, a two-storey block with three science laboratories and a library were built. A surau was built in 1978. In 1979, a security Room was especially constructed to store all the examination papers during the examination season.



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