history chapter 10

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History Chapter 10: Tackling Challenges of Early years of Independence

Problems, Soltions ! Effects of :

i) Housing & Hygiene

ii) Economy & Jobs

iii) Education & Schools

iv) Defense & Security

Problems Solutions

Housing & Hygiene

-Britain had set up the Singapore Improvement

Trust in 1927 to look into housing problems.

-The STI was ineffective and housing units built

by the STI however, were not enough to support

the population. The housing conditions were

also poor & resulted in 1/2 Million people living

in slums & squatters.

-The Housing Development board (HDB) was set up to provide public housing for the

increasing population in Singapore.

The First 5 Year Plan (1961-1965)

Aimed to build as many low-cost flats as possible within a short period of time so as to

relocate people living in the slums to better living conditions.

The housing estates also adopted the concept of ‘neighborhoods’ to minimise the

necessity of people to travel outside the estate. In every estate there would be services

such as shops, primary schools, clinics & community centers, shared by 1000-5000

families. Tion

g Bahru, Queenstown, Toa Payoh, MacPherson



-The Cramped & unhygienic conditions caused

infectious diseases to spread easily & people

had difficulty escaping in a fire. For example,

Bukit Ho Swee fire destroyed man y houses, left

16,000 homeless & killed 4 injured 54.

The Second 5 Year Plan (1966-1970)

It was aimed to improve quality of housing projects. The improvements included the

design of flats & estates. There would be better facilities such as carparks &playgrounds

and more open spaces between buildings. To give more privacy, the point block type of

flats were introduced.

The Third 5 Year Plan (1971-1975)

This was catered to the middle income households who wanted bigger flats but could not

afford private properties. The Urban Development Company was set up in 1970 to

design flats that were comparable to private properties & yet affordable for this group of

people.

About 84% of people became home owners by the 1990s. This made them have assets assuring them of a roof over their heads and

allowed them to have a sense of belonging and national pride. The housing estates had the chance to promote social stability as different

races could live, interact with one another, creating racial harmony.

Economy & Jobs

1)Singapore now lacked natural resources as it

had lost its hinterland market, Malaya after

AttractingMNCs

Firstly, they provided incentives to Multinational Corporations (MNCs) from Japan,Western Europe & USA to set up factories. This could help create jobs solving

unemployment. Singapore hence, positioned herself as a stable & low-cost



coupled with growing population due to the ‘post

war baby boom’

gas.

-The Singapore Telephone Board installed an average of 10,000 telephones a year, in

1961. This improved connectivity to the world, promoting economic activities

EngagingEconomicExpertise

The economist development plan was implemented with the help of Dr. Winsemius

(economist). He offered 2 recommendations to help Singapore experience faster

economic growth. They were:

Export-led Industrialisation

This strategy was crucial as Singapore had loss its potential hinterland market following

her separation from Malaysia. Such were also very favorable for MNCs

This would enable Singapore to develop faster and stay ahead of countries

Economic Development Board

-he EDB was set up in 1961 so as to drive the development of new & existing industries

to drive the development of new & existing industries by planning & executing

industrilisation programs. Goh Keng Swee, the first finance minister started the

development of the Jurong Industrial Estate (JIE).-Jurong was chosen as it was located far away from any built-up area, which provided

space for future developments and also because of its proximity from Malaysia, SG’s



hinterland market. It also had deep waters, making it suitable for harbor building.

-Jurong own Council (JTC) took over EDB’s role and took up the managing of JIE and

other industrial estates in Kallang Basin, Sims Ave, Redhill.

By 1985, Singapore had developed into a modern city state with a diversed economy.

Singapore had an average growth of a whopping 12.5% annually from 1964 to 1985.

By 1971, unemployment was no longer an issue as Singapore had attracted many companies.

The EDB although the main agent responsible for the manufacturing sector had contributed to the development of other sectors as well.

Education & Schools (1959,1967)

Education was crucial as it was a means to

allow people of different ethnic groups to come

together and interact.

Education could also facilitate Singapore‘s

economic development by preparing people to

entering the workforce via the equipping

oftechnical skills.During the colonial rule, education was left in the

hands of the various ethnic & reli

gious groups.

-The government integrated theses different educational systems in 1959. They wanted

to instill a sense of patriotism and promote social cohesion. The government set up daily

flag raising & pledge-raising ceremonies, civic education and extra curricular activities.

-A 5 year plan was then set up to treat all language streams equally, Malay was also

established as the national language & the learning of math, science & technical

subjects were emphasized.

-Mass recruitment also took place to enable education above primary level and toincrease capacity of schools. The number of teaches increased from 10,590 in 1959 to

17,184 in 1965.



The lack of a standardized education hence

varied the quality of education. -Bilingualism was also put into place in 1960. It made it compulsory for all students in

primary schools to learn 2 languages, English & mother tongue, this was extended to

Secondary schools from 1966. English would help equip students for the future as it was

used in the modern world, while mother tongue would allow students to keep their ethnic

roots.

Education had helped improved social relations between ethnic groups, it equipped the workforce with essential technical skills to tap on

the opportunities brought by globalization of the economy. From 42,723 students applying to secondary to 179, 811 in 1978.

Defence & Security

-Singapore was faced with constraints of limited

manpower and funds, in which were needed for

other areas like providing housing education for

the people, and most importantly, economic

development.

-It dawned to Singapore that it would be a

daunting task to enforce & security as:

The cost of maintaining large number of regularsoldiers would be huge.

-People had also yet to develop a strong sense

-On March 1967, the National Service Amendment Bill was passed, requiring all

Singaporean male citizens, who were medically fit to be enlisted for the NS upon

reaching the age of 18.

-They would then become Reservists whom would continue their training for a period of

time, ensuring they would be well-trained when called upon and serve the country

should the need arise.

- This create a citizen’s army: Full time NS men. Reservists & Regular soldiers.

-This however, was faced with some opposition from the Chinese. This was because

they feared military training would be tough and life-threatening, this made worse byChinese traditional beliefs.

-Singapore however, convinced people of the importance of defending SG and the need



of belonging to the country.

-The army should also be well-trainned and

equipped, which would add to the huge costs.

In addition, the British had also announced their

withdrawal of troops by the end of 1971, this

would leave Singapore defenseless, should they

not take action, making SG vulnerable.

for NS in get-togethers and shows organized at community centers. This enabled people

discuss fears towards. Radio & television broadcasted the purpose of NS and distributed

pamphlets.

-Singapore also build up the navy & air force by conducting overseas training fo0r troops

and getting help from foreign military advisers from countries like Israel.

Southeast Asia was politically unstable and Security was unpredictable at that time.

Singapore, hence, took steps to establish military cooperations to further ensure

Singapore’s safety. The 5 Power-Nation Defence was then signed which committed

theses countries to assist one another should the threat of attack from other countries

arise.

National service not only proved to be important in Singapore’s defense strategy but also played the role of bonding people of different

races, religions, cultures and backgrounds together.

history chapter 10

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