Since he was unable to have much of an education in his youth, it was his ambition in life to build a school and help those who are poor as he prospered and became wealthy.

[8] The school proved to be a success - the enrolment figure reached a record of 167 by 1890, and rose to an all-time high of 94% in 1892.

Gan accepted the site and wholly financed the construction and furbishment of the building which could accommodate up to 300 primary students.

[7] Tan Keong Saik, a prominent Chinese businessman and board trustee of the school, briefly gave a history of the institution to the distinguished gathering.

[9] Before Gan died on 9 September 1899, in his will he had made provisions for the maintenance of the school and its management by a board of trustees.

The board of trustees was composed of distinguished pioneers of Singapore such as Tan Keong Saik, Ho Yang Peng, Wee Theam Tew, Lee Cheng Yan, Chan Sze Jin, Wee Swee Teow, Song Ong Siang, Lim Boon Keng and Gan's descendants.

As the two-storey school building was made mainly of wood, it suffered badly from dry rot and termite infestation.

[13] In 1937, the board wrote to the Education Department detailing the plight of the school and urged the government to take over its management.

In July 1941, the Public Works Department declared the school building unsafe for occupation and ordered its evacuation.

After the surrender of Japan, the British Military Administration took charge of Singapore and attempts were made to revive the school again.

[15] Its formation was an initiative by Aroozoo, who said, "Parents as much as the teacher have a great deal to do with the training and development of a child as a useful member of the community.

[18] With Singapore's independence after its separation from Malaysia in 1965, manpower consideration assumed top priority in education planning.

[20] In September 1985, the MOE announced that GESS would move from Anson Road to Raeburn Park in mid-1986 and would cease to be a boys' school in 1987.

The plane was paraded at the anniversary dinner in front of guests that included guest-of-honour S. Vasoo, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC and an old boy.

The Ceremony was officiated by three of Aroozoo's daughters: former National Library Board director Hedwig Anuar; former CHIJ Katong Convent principal Marie Bong; and former LASALLE College of the Arts librarian Eleanor Smith.

The new school premises and the Heritage Hall was officially opened on 2 August 2001 by Education Minister Teo Chee Hean.

[25] To celebrate the 120th anniversary of GESS, the Gan Eng Seng School Old Students' Association (GESSOSA) published a pictorial history book in 2006 to document the school's rich traditions and history as well as the contribution made by its pioneers, old students and staff.

The choice of red and green for the school crest had been influenced by the colours of the Gan Eng Seng Scout Troop.

Green in colour to suggest the peaceful but relentless educational spirit which has guided the progress of the school.

The school's motto - "Onward" - with its sense of determination reminds one of the slow, painful but relentless advances which have been made over the last century.

The building includes the Arena, where the daily flag raising ceremonies, parades and special functions are held, the Heritage Gallery, the school's tallest structure, and the Alumni Room, a gathering place for students.

[31] GESS was highlighted in MOE's press release for having students with outstanding results at the 2007 GCE O-Level Examination.

[36] Students take English Language, Mathematics, Basic Mother Tongue and Computer Applications as compulsory subjects.

Today, only four house names remain: Lim Boon Keng, Chan Sze Jin, Lee Cheng Yan and Chen Su Lan.

Headed officially by Kiang Ai Kim in 1958 after some old boys had expressed a desire to form such an association to keep in touch with the school and with one another earlier.

GESSOSA has a dedicated room that is nestled in the school CCA Block that continue to serve as a melting pot for both past and current students to this day.