END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL

All kind of students

The classes were truly multiracial. In Sembawang, there were large Indian and Malay communities. I had plenty of opportunities to interact and mingle with different races. I learned to speak some rudimentary Tamil and some basic Malay. I often played in school with other races. We were ignorant and truly coloured blind on racial issues in those days. Special Muslim food corner did not exist.

There were also bullies and gangsters in my class. I played with them but I showed a lot of respect for them. They too respected me for my academics. I was never bullied or taken advantage off. There were a few students who sat through the class not knowing what was happening. Pri 6 was as far as they would go. Thereafter, they work full time helping the family business.

Year End Concert

At the end of each year, the school organised a simple school concert with prize presentation ceremony. I participated from P3 to P6. I loved short comedy play or skitch. It was good fun to be on stage. On the same day I would received by prizes as top student.

Getting into RI

Primary six ended in 1967 for me. My father had plan for me to go to Raffles Institution. I followed his instruction to apply for RI. Undoubtedly, it was the top choice school in Singapore. My dad clearly understood the significance and benefit of getting into top ranked school. When the PSLE result announced, only Tamilselvam and myself made the grade for RI. With 4 English schools in the entire Sembawang area, only 5 made it to RI. These 4 were became my travelling companions for the next 4 to 6 years.

Soon the entire community of Hainanese in Chong Pang village and my relatives knew of my enrolment in RI. I remembered I was the 2nd in this village and the first among my relatives. My intuition tells me that deep in my father’s heart, he must have been very proud of me.

It's was a wonderful childhood

My years in primary school were really uneventful but very enjoyable. Looking back, study was a breeze for me. I came from very humble background, but many of my classmates were worst and less fortunate than me. But there was no stress or worries. Perhaps then the social environment was not so competitive and less demanding. Even though we had no 'gameboys' or 'playstations', we were able to innovate and adapt plays to the fullest enjoyment.

1967 will mark the end of a chapter of carefree days, plays with no stress and worries. I am also very glad I was given the space both at home and school to grow up. Outside the classroom, education was equally important. It was here I nurtured my survival skill and learn to be street smart.



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