In the early years, education in Singapore was undertaken by concerned individuals, philanthropists and Christian missionaries. When Singapore came under the control of the Colonial Office in London in 1867, the Colonial administration operated a few English medium primary and secondary schools. It was at this time that a Department of Education was set up for the Straits Settlements (SS). After the First World War, Singapore had a separate Department of Education to look into its own needs.
The Department of Education continued to function after the Japanese Occupation ended. When Singapore attained internal self-government in 1955, the Department became the Ministry of Education.
