Figure 1.--There are several international schools in Singapore like this Australian school. |
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Almost all Singapore school children wear school uniforms. They are required by the Government at state schoolds, although the Government does not mandate the style ad color. Singapore was a former British colony and school uniforms were well established in the colonial era. Uniforms were furing the colonial period the traditional British school boy uniforms. Modern Singapore uniforms are more casual than the traditional English styles. Given the warm climate, boys wear short pants and open-necked shirts.
Singapore was Britain's primary Pacific base during the colonia era. Japan's quick movement through Mayaysia after Pearl Harbor and seizure of Singapore with its large garrison was a great shock. Singapore achied independence from Britain in 1965. Singapore's strongly Chinese population prevented it from being included in Mayasia with its largely Malay population. Beginning with independence, the Singapore Government gave education a high priority. Singapore's leaders have seen a well educated labor force as vital to the country's economic success. Educational historians have seen different stages in the development of Singapore schools. First was the 'survival-driven' phase (1960s and 70s). Singapore's economic success then led to the 'efficiency-driven' phase (1980s/early 90s). The current era can described as the 'ability-driven' phase (late 1990s). Singapore has achieved one of the highest standards of living in Asia. Much of the country's success has been due to a low-wages, but wages have risen condideranly in Singapore and there is increasing competition from China with low wages. If Singapore is going to continue to prosper, a "creative and innovative workforce" is needed to compete in the highly competitive global economy. [Kam and Gopinathan, 1999 p. 101].
Uniform is compulsory at all Singapore schools. While the Government requires a uniform, it does not mandate the precise nature of the uniform. All state schools in Singapore (that is, local primary and secondry schools and not universities) have their own unique uniforms. I am not sure if there are government regulations mandating iuniforms, but all state schools have them."
Singapoere school uniforms are usually chosen by the head of the school ("principal") and lasts for the major part of the school's history. Schools rarely change the uniform unless a new replacement principal insists on it. As a result, Singapore school uniforms rarely change. A Sinapore student tells u, "School uniforms usually do not change. My school's uniform has not changed for 8 decades."
The schools have a variety of uniforms. The uniform is usually shorts and collared short-sleeved button shirts for boys (made of nylon or polythene) and a blouse and skirt for girls. A Sinapore reader tells us, "Most schools change the boys uniform to long pants for older boys, usually at age 15. The older boys uniform is usually long pants as leg hair with the onset of puberty is considered unsightly." One popular style used at many schools is white open-neck shirt with short sleeves, beige short trousersand with white ankle socks. This is very typical of Singapore day-to-day school uniforms, especially for the Chinese schools. Only the most senior boys would be likely to wear long trousers except on formal occasions. There are a number of international schools in Singapore, many of which also have uniforms. These uniforms, such as at the Australian School, can be destinctive. Due to the climate of Singapore (30°C sunny all year round) there are no seasonal uniforms.
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HBC has very limited information about Singapore schools. The school garments we have noted in recent years have been casual open necked white shirts, brown or blue shorts, white ankle socks, and plain white tennis shoes. We have no information at this time about uniforms previously worn in Singapore schools. We suspect they may have been more formal British styles.
We do not yet have a chronology of Singapore school uniforms. Our information is still quite limited. Singapore was a British colony. Thus school uniform styles were influenced by the British. Singapore's tropical climate required some modification. We do have some information on 2000 styles. A Singapore newspaper described school uniform styles in 2000. Singapore schools require school uniforms. The schools we have seen have uniforms with simple, utilitarian styles. Some of the girls are a little uncerain about "looking like Sailor Moon" as they put it.
We have begun to acquire some information on activities at Singapore schools and the uniforms associated with the various activities. Here we at this time still have very little information as our Singapore archives is very limited. The activities we have noted seem strongly influenced by British school traditions.
We have no detailed information about cadet programs in Singapore. The country was a British colony and we note cadet programs at Singapore schools before World War II. We do not know how common this was, but we do know that the cadet programs were mnot just at the schools for British children.
We do not fully understand the uniform conventions, styles, and regulations and Singapore schools. Most schools appear to have the boys wear collared shirts, colored shorts, and white socks for classes. One image suggests that the boys wear "t"-shirts, their shorts, and dark socks for phusical education and the girls wear long pants. However we can not be sure about such conventions without additional information.
We have very limited information about individual Singapore schools. A reader writes, "Eeven though my school's name is "The Chinese High School", it is not a Chinese school as all syllabuses follow the government standard." -- Edwin Tan. We also note the St. Patrick's School. They had a school cadet group in 1939. We note a British boarding school in the 1960s, but we do not yet know the name of the school. We notice another British school, but are not sure if it was a day or boarding school. Singapore is a city state, thus as far as we know, the only boarding schools were for British children during the colonial era.
Singapore students discussed the subject of school uniforms over the internet in 1998. Some are not native English speakers, so some of the comments are not gramatically correct, but I have maintained the actual text submitted. The question was posed, should Singapore abolish school uniorms:
Why school must have uniform?
We can follow the American high schools as they wear anythings they like.
Why school must wear school uniform? Is is need to do so?
Yes, because it is stiff plain and old fashion
Yes it should be (abolished). It is a rather inconvienient idea.
Yes school uniform should be banish.
Yes,so that pupils could out after school.
The school uniform...... em...... Okay, Diablo thinks it should not be abolished. Look, now you gather around the school and camo. yourself with the uniform. Isn't that wonderful? And, You ought to be proud of the school and its uniform! I really feel like sending a virus to you but i will not.
Yes! the school uniform should be abolished! the school does not know the present's fashion.it is the casual style!
Yes.'cause it's cool and funky.
Yes! The school uniform should be abolished. It was becaues the school does not know anything about fashion. I really hope the school uniform abolished.
Yeah school uniform is so boringgggggggggggggg.
I do not think uniforms should be abolished. Uniforms make pupils feel they are part of the school, makes them feel united. every school has its own uniform. uniforms differ pupils from one another from different schools.
No.There should be a need for school uniform because students will wear undecently if they are given the choice.
YES.Students have a trend & maybe this will increase their creativity.
Yes.The uniform is part of the school.
Yes OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!! IT SHOULD BE ABOLISH. It is such a trouble to wear school why?? bcos whereever we go in sch u we have to behave ourselves in order to keep us the sch'name or reputation
The school uniform...... em...... Okay, Diablo thinks it should not be abolished. Look, now you gather around the school and camo. yourself with the uniform. Isn't that wonderful? And, You ought to be proud of the school and its uniform! I really feel like sending a virus to you but i will not.
Figure 3.--Open white shirts and beige shorts are a common uniform at Singapore schools, especially the Chinese schools. |
Yes. It is because I do not like my school uniform. I feel and think that the school uniform is very awful. The colour also does not look nice to me. The design is very common almost every school has the same. The skirt is also difficult to iron. I wish the school will change the design and colour of the school uniform.
We come to school to study. So don't mind about fashion.
No! Theres no need in wearing school uniform to school. We may wear any type of clothiung as we like. This way many people may enjoy going to school as can wear cloth which they may feel comfortable in. Many of them likes to wear slippers or sandles to school. Some prefer sport shoe. Once again they can wear whartever they like to shool.
Of course! In my opinion, many students are already too obsessed with fashion, the opposite sex and the like. Wearing a school uniform should make them feel more a part of the school and, as my friend said,"It would be to stressful having to decide what to wear everyday!"
Many schools all over the world do noy force their students to wear uniforms. Should Singapore's schools also do the same thing? What's your opinion?
Figure 4.--Open white shirts and beige shorts are a common uniform at Singapore schools, especially the Chinese schools. |
Wearing school uniform is not that bad in the way of how you thought of it...if u are proud of your sch and not afraid of people finding out who u are, it is better to wear school uniforms...... actuually, I agree to both.....
I THINK,WEARING SCHOOL UNIFORM IS A GOOD IDEA. I MEAN IF WE DO NOT WEAR THE SAME OUTFIT, WILL TEACHERS KNOW EITHER WE ARE FROM THIS SCHOOL OR AN OUTSIDERS. BY WEARING SCHOOL UNIFORMS, WE CAN EASILY BE RECOGNISED AND PEOPLE OR TEACHERS WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE FROM THIS SCHOOL. LIKE OTHER COUNTRIES THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR OUTSIDE CLOTHES BECAUSE IN ONE TOWN OR CITY THERE IS ONLY ONE SCHOOL SO THEY KNOW THAT THIS STUDENT CAME FROM THIS TOWN BY LOOKING AT THEIR IDENTITY CARD ok, faham tak! by:CICI COOPER.
Singapore schools have a variety of regulations concerning school uniform. At least one school that allows older boys to wear long trousers, make them wear short pants if they misbehave.
Careful this will exit you from the BHC Web Site
Singapore Ministry of Education: Information
Kam, H. and Gopinathan, S. (1999) 'Recent developments in education in Singapore'. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 10 (1), 99-117.
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