Did you know? Once upon a time in Singapore, recitation and penmanship were actually taught in schools and a school excursion could well just be a visit to a local fishing village.
School experiences in Singapore have undergone many changes since our nation-building years with the introduction of the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) and, more recently, home-based learning with technology. Browse through this selection of photos, audiovisual content and oral history excerpts to learn more.
Oral History Interviews
1. Oral History Interview with Paul Abisheganaden, Former Chief Inspector of Schools
Acc No. 1415
Having recitation and reading as subjects in school
2. Oral History Interview with Marie Ethel Bong, Former Principal of Katong Convent
Acc No. 1390
Using ink to write in school
3. Oral History Interview with James Koh, Former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education
Acc No. 2847
Enrolling for night classes at the Adult Education Board (AEB), or Lembaga Gerakan Pelajaran Dewasa
Audiovisual Recordings
1. New Town Secondary School
Acc No. 1982000295
Ministry of Culture, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Students during assembly singing the national anthem and taking various classes throughout the day such as chemistry, physical education and home economics class.
2. Technical School
Acc No. 1982000261
Ministry of Culture, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Boys and girls take different classes in school. Boys were in woodwork classes while girls were taught handicraft and clothes making.
3. School For Deaf Children
Acc No. 1982000292
Ministry of Culture, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
This is a school for deaf children taking Chinese and English sign language classes by imitating the teacher's hand signals. They also learn to speak through lip reading, learning to make conversations and speak in sentences.
Photographs
1. Students of Kay Wah Primary School sitting for the First Semestral Examination in the classroom, circa 1986. Located in Neo Tiew Village (Lim Chu Kang), Kay Wah Primary School was the branch of its main school at Ama Kheng.
Courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
2. A student of Nee Soon Primary School being in action for the long jump category during the school's sports day in the 1986. Notice that these students went barefooted when attempting the sport, an indicator that sports shoes were considered a luxury back in the old days when material aspects were much simpler.
Singapore Malay Teachers' Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd Collection, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
3. As part of the keeping school clean campaign in the 1970s, students of Chua Chu Kang Government Chinese Primary School were giving their classroom furniture a clean up.
Chua Chu Kang Government Primary School Collection, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
4. For this group of students from Bukit Panjang Government School in the 1950s, school excursion meant a visit to a fishing village at Tanjong Kling.
Bukit Panjang Government School Collection, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore