Survival Driven Education

Discover how education shaped Singapore's survival after independence, from building schools and training workers to fostering national unity.

Last updated 16 September 2026

Vintage colorized photo collage showing a girl in band uniform with trumpet and three males, with text Survival-Driven Education.

The 1960s were tough years for Singapore. As the people geared up for independence, critical challenges such as the lack of national unity, insufficient schools and unskilled workforce quickly became evident. Education was the way forward to ensure our survival.

Review of the Education System

A commission of inquiry was set up in 1962 to review the education system. The key findings were documented in the 1963 Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Education. The report contained recommendations to review the structure of the school system, teaching methods as well as teacher training.

Cover page titled Commission of Inquiry into Education Singapore Final Report with the State of Singapore coat of arms.

1963 Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Education.
Courtesy of National Library Board, Singapore.

Page 834 of a book showing Chapter 1 titled Structure of Singapore Schools with printed text on education policy.

The report outlines the key functions and responsibilities of the Ministry of Education.
Courtesy of National Library Board, Singapore.

Building More Schools

As Singapore became self-governing in 1959, education and schools became crucial to the development of the new nation. The population was booming in the 1950s and 1960s. To ensure that every child would have a place in school, one of the top priorities of the Government was to build enough schools for every child of school-going age.

Black and white photo of a multi-story building under construction with scaffolding, and cattle walking along a dirt road in front.

School building in construction (1962).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of Sang Nila Utama Secondary School building with a large bilingual sign in English and Jawi.

Malay-medium schools like Sang Nila Utama and Tun Seri Lanang Secondary Schools were set up by the Government to provide support for Malay education.
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Island Schools
Before the 1980s, many people lived in Singapore’s off-shore islands. To provide better education for the islanders, primary schools were built in the more populated islands such as Pulau Ubin and Tekong. They had the same curriculum as the mainland schools.

By the mid-1980s, many island schools closed down as more islanders moved to work and live on mainland Singapore.

Black and white photo of a large crowd gathered outside a low building, with palm trees and a water tower in the background.

Crowds at the opening of Kampong Pasir (Tekong) Malay School by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (1963).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of two low-roofed buildings with covered walkways surrounded by tropical trees including palms.

St John’s English School (c. 1960s).
Courtesy of Mrs Lim Siew Yong.

Black and white photo of children and adults in white uniforms holding small flags, standing in rows under palm trees.

Assembly at a school on Pulau Sudong (1963).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of children jump roping and playing outdoors on dirt ground with tropical trees behind them.

School Sports Day at Pulau Seraya.
Courtesy of Mr Yahya bin Japris.

Black and white photo of a group of men seated in a boat on water, with one man standing at the back.

Teachers on a sampan.
Photo by Mr Hoo Tor Kwun, Courtesy of Singapore Memory Project.

Black and white photo of a long single-story building with louvered windows, a covered walkway, and trees nearby.

Vacant Bin Kiang School at Pulau Ubin (1992).
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

A Rugged Society

When Singapore attained independence in 1965, the Government envisioned a rugged society comprising citizens who were physically fit, tough and ready to work hard to build a nation.

Creating Shared Identity

Vintage sepia photo of children in uniforms marching through a street waving Singapore flags and banners.

School children holding national flags (1963).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Singapore needed to create a shared identity as a new nation. The Government began putting in place a national system of education to foster racial harmony and strengthen the ties between people.

Schools were constructed with a similar look and feel to create a common identity. Common spaces in school like halls and canteens were added to promote social interactions. Integrated schools were also created during this time, bringing students together from two or more language streams to study within one campus.

Black and white photo of Jubilee Primary School exterior at dusk, with uniformed personnel and string lights.

Typical design for a primary school, a compact ‘H’ shape building (1967).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of several people reading magazines at a wooden table in a library with a card catalog nearby.

Teachers and students reading together in the school library (1960s).

Black and white photo of a large hall filled with rows of students sitting at desks, appearing to take an exam.

Students sitting for examinations in the school hall (1960s).

Black and white photo of children and adults outside a multi-story school building with vintage cars and bicycles.

Students attending Silat Integrated School (1963).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of male students in uniforms walking outside a multi-story technical school building.

Students of Tanglin Integrated Secondary Technical School (1965).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of hundreds of uniformed students assembled in rows on a field during a flag-raising ceremony.

Teachers and students at morning assembly (1966).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

To foster a sense of national unity, all students sing the national anthem, Majulah Singapura, raise the state flag and recite the pledge each day during morning assembly. These daily practices strengthen our national identity and nurture the Singapore spirit among students.

Black and white vintage photo of eight children standing in a row outdoors in front of a brick wall.

Students of Tampines Primary School in ethnic costumes (1964 – 1980).
Tampines Primary School Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Local folk songs like Di Tanjong Katong (opens in new tab), Munnaeru Vaalibaa (opens in new tab) and Xiao Bai Chuan were sung in music classes to connect students with their heritage and cultural roots, as well as learn more about their peers from other ethnic groups.

Preparing a Skilled Workforce

Vintage sepia photo of suited adults observing students working at wooden workbenches in a large workshop classroom.

Yang di-Pertuan Negara Yusof Ishak, with Minister for Education Mr Yong Nyuk Lin during a visit to Queenstown Technical School (1962).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Singapore’s economy grew rapidly in the 1960s but lacked a skilled workforce to meet the challenges of industrialisation. To better prepare students for the emerging industries, the Government accelerated the development of technical education and established more technical and vocational schools.

Technical education was implemented to cater to the needs of a labour-intensive economy. Technical schools were also built and workshop facilities were added to regular schools. The first technical schools, Tanjong Katong Technical School and Queenstown Technical School, were opened in 1956.

Black and white photo of students using hand tools to work on wood at benches in a carpentry class.

Woodwork class at Kim Seng Technical School (1966).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of young men working with tools and metal parts in a brick workshop.

Metalwork class at Balestier Trade School (1959).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of a large building entrance with a stone arch, gate, flagpoles, and parked cars underneath.

Founding of Singapore Polytechnic in 1954 that goes beyond technical education to provide vocational training.

Extra-Curricular Activities
The Government saw sports and games as a good way to cultivate teamwork and a healthy spirit of competition in schools. Together with clubs and uniformed groups, these Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) were aimed at developing well-rounded students outside the classroom. In 1975, ECAs were made compulsory for all secondary school students.

Black and white photo of a youth marching band in white uniforms playing instruments on an outdoor court.

A school brass band rehearsal (1967).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Three medical personnel in uniform attend to a person lying on a stretcher on a field, with a crowd in the background.

Junior Red Cross members learning to administer first aid (1969).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of uniformed soldiers standing in formation with rifles outside a multi-story building with spectators.

National Cadet Corps members on parade for Speech Day (1975).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of children in white martial arts uniforms with black belts practicing on an outdoor field.

A mass Wushu display by students (1970s).

Singapore Youth Festival
The first Singapore Youth Festival was launched on 18 July 1967. This annual event celebrates the accomplishments of students in sports, arts and music. Over the years, it has become a platform for students to showcase their artistic and musical talents.

Children in uniforms and caps march in a parade, playing flutes and cymbals on a field before a crowd.

A school band performance at the opening of the first Singapore Youth Festival (1967).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

A youth orchestra performs on stage at the Singapore Youth Festival 1968, July 20 to August 2.

A concert band competition at the Singapore Youth Festival (1968).

Black and white photo of women and girls viewing puppets and costumes displayed on a wall in a hallway.

An Arts and Crafts exhibition at the Victoria Memorial Hall (1974).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of a line of women in matching folk costumes dancing on a stage, holding flowers.

Dancers performing at the first Singapore Youth Festival (1967).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Large stadium ceremony for Singapore Youth Festival 1975, with rows of uniformed participants on a field and a colorful card display.

Mass display for the Singapore Youth Festival at the National Stadium (1975).
Singapore Tourism Board Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Physical Education
Physical Education (PE) was added to the curriculum during this era. PE was seen as essential for developing students’ sportsmanship, teamwork and motor skills. Students also engaged in friendly competition with their peers during their school’s annual Sports Day.

Black and white photo of children crouching with large hoops on a sandy field while a crowd watches.

Sports Day at Thomson Shin Min Public School (1966).
Shin Min Public School Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of a large group of young men in white uniforms playing tug of war outdoors.

Students competing in a game of tug-of-war (1960s).

Black and white photo of people lying on ground doing leg raises on poles while an instructor walks between them.

Students doing log exercises as a team during PE lessons (1970).

Several people hang from a rope bridge crossing over a river, with rocky shores and trees in the background.

Outward Bound adventure course training at Pulau Ubin Camp (1967).
Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

Black and white photo of a volleyball player jumping to spike the ball in a stadium with spectators.

Students playing basketball (1970s).