History Chapter 10: Tackling Challenges of Early years of Independence

Problems, Sol tions ! Effects of : i) Housing & Hygiene

ii) iii) iv) Economy & Jobs Education & Schools Defense & Security

Problems 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.

Solutions -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. Tiong 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

separation with Malaysia such as: Rubber, Palm Oil, Minerals (gold, tin) 2) The economy was also not diversified (have many industries like banking, manufacturing, finance), it was largely dependent on entreport trade. But it was no longer sufficient to ensure Singapores continued growth as countries like Malaysia & Indonesia started developing their ports. 3)British announced that it would be withdrawing its military troops in 1971. At that time, British military expenditure amounted to 12.7% of Singapores Gross Natural Product. 30,000 civilians workers employed by Military bases were faced with possibility of losing their jobs, It caused a serious impact on the economic development in Singapore especially the factories which produced military goods & services for those working in such bases. This

manufacturing export centre. Singapore could then learn from such MNCs in terms of technological & marketing capabilities to penetrate into the competitive world markets.

Singaporehencewantedto transformherself into an Organised& EfficientCountryin the region,to furtherbe able to attractMNCS This was achieved by putting in place high standards of public service like security, health, education, telecommunications & transportations. This would make Singapore stand out from the rest and hence, better attract foreign investors & professionals to invest, work in SG. Enabling MNCs to choose Singapore as professionals in such companies would be willing to come to SG, this was carried out via: -In the 1960s, The international airport, located at Paya Lebar was developed & expanded to accommodate bigger aircraft & cargo. -In 1964, the Port Authority of Singapore (PSA) was set up to oversee, manage & develop port facilities & operations. A container port was also set up in the late 1960s. -35 major banks with 130 banking offices were in operation by 1960. They provided banking & financial support needed to support Singapores industrialization -The Public Utility Board (PUB) was also set up to look into supply of water electricity &

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, SGs

hinterland market. It also had deep waters, making it suitable for harbor building. -Jurong own Council (JTC) took over EDBs 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 Singapores 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 & religious 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 to increase 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 regular soldiers 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 citizens 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 by Chinese 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 Singapores 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 Singapores defense strategy but also played the role of bonding people of different races, religions, cultures and backgrounds together.