hist - ch10

• What housing challenges did Singapore face after independence?

  • Insufficient low-cost housing
  • Poor and overcrowded living conditions
  • High population density in shophouses
  • Many lived in semi-permanent shelters without sanitation
• What was the role of the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) after the Japanese Occupation?

  The SIT attempted to meet Singapore’s housing challenges by accelerating its building programme.
• How did the living conditions in shophouses during the 1950s reflect the housing challenges in Singapore?

  Over 100 persons lived in each shophouse, with many in cubicles averaging 9 square metres, often without windows and in poor sanitary conditions.
• How many people lived in semi-permanent shelters in squatter areas in Singapore?

  An estimated 300,000 people lived in semi-permanent shelters in squatter areas.
• What were the characteristics of kampong houses in Singapore?

  • Built with wooden walls and palm frond roofs
  • Supported by stilts for safety and ventilation
  • Size and materials depended on occupants' financial ability
  • Commonly lacked electricity and relied on kerosene lamps
• What was the main post-independence housing challenge in Singapore?

  Shortage of affordable, comfortable, and hygienic housing with sufficient amenities.
• What were the goals of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) established in 1960?

  • Build flats quickly
  • Ensure affordability of housing
  • Increase home ownership
  • Remove ethnic enclaves for a harmonious society
• Who led the establishment of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in 1960?

  Lim Kim San
• How many flats had the HDB constructed by 1965, and what percentage of the population did this house?

  The HDB had constructed 54,000 flats, housing 25% of Singapore’s population.
• How did the HDB's performance compare to that of the SIT in terms of housing units built?

  The HDB built 54,000 flats in 5 years, while the SIT built only 23,000 housing units in 32 years.
• What was the first HDB flat ever built?

  The first HDB flat was built on Stirling Road in Queenstown.
• What was the purpose of the Home Ownership Scheme introduced in 1964?

  • Help citizens buy HDB flats instead of renting
  • Foster a greater sense of belonging to the nation
  • Initially had a low take-up rate until CPF savings could be used
• What was the focus of HDB after resolving the housing crisis?

  • Developing self-sufficient towns
  • Creating amenities like transport nodes and malls
  • Ensuring neighborhoods had food outlets and facilities
• What was Singapore’s first satellite HDB Town?


  Toa Payoh
• What were the impacts of high-rise living on residents according to the article "Adjusting to Highrise Living"?

  • Some families viewed rehousing positively
  • Others struggled to adjust to the new environment
  • Fear of lifts and preference for stairs
  • Many missed the kampong lifestyle
• What were the education challenges Singapore faced after independence?

  • Low literacy rates (60% in 1965)
  • Large number of school-age children
  • Rapidly growing population with over 50,000 babies born annually
• What were the goals of Singapore's education system after independence?

  • Prepare the population for economic needs
  • Rapidly build schools and recruit teachers
  • Ensure access to education for all
• How many primary and secondary schools were completed by the end of 1957?

  96 primary and 11 secondary schools.
• What was introduced in 1959 to accommodate larger student enrolment?

  Double-session schooling.
• How many teachers were there by the end of the decade after full internal self-government?

  Over 19,000 teachers.
• Why did the Singapore government pursue bilingual education?

  To prevent citizens from being divided by language barriers and to promote communication among different ethnic groups.
• What was the bilingual education policy introduced in 1953?

  • All students learn both English and their vernacular languages
  • English as a common language to foster bonds
  • Vernacular languages to maintain cultural roots
• When did second languages become compulsory examinable subjects in Singapore's education system?

  In 1966 for the PSLE and in 1969 for the Cambridge School Certificate examination.
• What were the goals of promoting technical education in Singapore?

  • Equip students with skills for the industrial sector
  • Ensure a steady supply of trained workers
  • Attract multinational corporations (MNCs)
• What technical subjects were male lower secondary students required to take from 1969?

  Woodwork, technical drawing, and home economics.
• What were the goals of increasing education opportunities for girls in Singapore?

  • Ensure everyone could contribute to economic progress
  • Foster unity and national identity
  • Provide free primary school education for all children
• What was the percentage increase in female enrolment in secondary and pre-university schools from 1960 to 1980?

  From 39% to 51%.
• What was the focus of the education system during the Survival Driven Education phase (1965-1978)?

  • Produce good citizens
  • Ensure basic education for all
  • Link education to economic development
• What were the main areas of focus during the Efficiency-Driven phase (1976-1990s)?

  • Move from labour-intensive to capital/skills-intensive
  • Reduce drop-out rates
  • Promote bilingualism
• What was the average drop-out rate from Primary 1 to Secondary 4?

  Out of 1000 pupils, an average of 206 dropped out.
• What was the New Education System (NES) introduced in 1979 aimed at?

  To reduce educational wastage and allow pupils to progress at their own pace.
• What were the main goals of public health initiatives in Singapore?

  • Improve living conditions
  • Enhance cleanliness levels
  • Ensure sufficient healthcare services
• What public health problems were prevalent in kampongs during the 1950s?

  Malaria, typhoid, and tuberculosis.
• What measures were taken to address squatter settlements in Singapore?

  • Residents were rehoused into HDB estates
  • Improved living conditions and sanitation
• What measures were taken to address flooding in Singapore?

  • Building and widening of drains and canals
  • Improved floodwater containment
• What measures were taken to improve hawker hygiene in Singapore?

  • Compulsory registration and licensing of hawkers
  • Proper hygiene practices enforced
  • Relocation to hawker centres with amenities
• What was the Environmental Public Health Act passed in 1968 aimed at?

  • Address chronic littering and spitting
  • Imposed fines for littering and spitting
  • Required cleanliness on private premises
• What were some public health campaigns launched in Singapore?

  • Family Planning Campaign (1960s)
  • Dental Health Campaign (1960s)
  • National Heart Week (1970s)
  • National Smoking Control Programme (1980s)
• What improvements were made to medical facilities in Singapore?

  • Outpatient facilities moved to government clinics
  • Expansion of hospitals
  • Increased autonomy for public hospitals
• What was the government's approach to building a national identity in Singapore?

  • Promoting social cohesion through education
  • Implementing social policies in housing, education, and healthcare