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Date : 9 Feb 98

SCHOOLS’ COMMEMORATION OF TOTAL DEFENCE DAY

The Total Defence Day on 15 Feb 98 marks the Fall of Singapore, 56 years ago, on 15 Feb 42. It is one of four key historical events that schools will commemorate as part of National Education.

2 As Total Defence Day falls on a Sunday this year, schools have chosen different dates from the week of 9 Feb 98 onwards to hold activities to commemorate the Day. The activities for pupils will be aimed at developing understanding of what happened during the Japanese Occupation as well as the various aspects of Total Defence that are necessary for Singapore’s continued survival and success. Schools are also arranging for their students to visit the Total Defence Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Defence from 13 - 22 Feb 98.

3 The rationale for commemorating this day is to underscore for our young the message that we must ourselves defend Singapore. No one else is responsible for our security and well-being.

4 Some examples of how schools are commemorating Total Defence Day, the dates of commemoration, and a short write-up of these is attached in Annex A.

 

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Annex A

FIVE SCHOOLS’ PROGRAMME FOR TOTAL DEFENCE DAY

River Valley High School

11 Feb 98

Contact Person : Mr Tham Tuck Meng

Tel : 65678115

Programme

· Students will be reading articles related to Total Defence and Japanese Occupation on 11 Feb during the school’s Integrated Reading Programme.

· Sec. 3 & 4 students will be putting up skits to mark milestones in Singapore History

· (related to themes of Total Defence ) e.g. Japanese Occupation and the lessons to be learnt, Our Road to Independence and the setting up of our Armed Forces.

· A week later, there will be class-based discussions on students’ views and perceptions on the meaning of this whole exercise.

 

Anderson Secondary School

13 Feb 98

Contact Person : Mdm Low Khah Gek

Tel : 64598303

Programme

The school has invited a speaker, Mr. Mohan, from the Writer's Circle, to give a talk on the fall of Singapore and the need for National Service on 13 Feb. During the reading periods in the mornings, the students will be given materials on Total Defence issues to read and discuss both prior to and after the talk.

 

Beatty Secondary School

13 Feb 98

Contact Person : Mr Goh Aik Choon

Tel : 62569108

Programme

There will be a presentation of skits and displays by the different uniformed groups which will illustrate each of the 5 aspects of Total Defence. The presentation will be held in the school's parade square on 13 Feb.

 

North View Secondary School

13 Feb 98, 10 am

Contact Person : Mr N Satianathan

Tel : 67521366

Programme

· All students in uniformed groups will be in full uniform that day ; male teachers will be in their reservist gear.

· There will be an enactment of an Emergency , followed by a rescue operation by Singapore Civil Defence Force.

· There will also be a food and water rationing exercise.

· Grandparents, parents and relatives of students who had undergone the Japanese Occupation will be in school that day to recount their experiences of hardships and sufferings to the student body.

· Secondary I-2 students will have class-based Poster Design and Essay Writing Competitions as follow-up activities.

 

Hong Kah Secondary

17 Feb 98, 11 am

Contact Person : Miss Dorothy Tay Bee Hian

Tel : 65679655

Programme

· All students in uniformed groups will be in full uniform that day ; male teachers will be in their reservist gear.

· The VP will be giving a talk on his NS experience.

· Students from the uniformed groups will re-enact the FALL OF SINGAPORE in a skit to illustrate and demonstrate Singapore’s vulnerability and the need for Total Defence.

· There will then be a Q&A session in the Hall for all students.

For further enquiries/clarifications on the five schools’ programmes, please contact Mrs Wai Yin Pryke at 64747 101 or Ms Lim Soh Khim at 64709 105.