Figure 1.--There is a Dutch School in Singapore. We note a number of boys and girls in a kind of smock-looking garment which is quartered in the Dutch colours. As all the children were wearing it and it clearly referred to Holland and hence the Dutch character of the school, it can be described as a kind of school uniform.

There is a Dutch School in Singapore. We have little information about the history of the school at this time. Indonesia until after World War II was a Dutch colony. Singapore was a British colony, but was also a major regional trading center and as a result there was a Dutch community in Singapore. There are today about 200-250 Dutch, Belgian (presumably Flemish), and Singaporese students. We note a number of boys and girls in a kind of smock-looking garment which is quartered in the Dutch colours. As all the children were wearing it and it clearly referred to Holland and hence the Dutch character of the school, it can be described as a kind of school uniform. The school reports, "We, as a Dutch School, have no school uniform. We do have a school t-shirt that is worn in p.e. classes and on school outings. "

History

There is a Dutch School in Singapore. Indonesia until after World War II was a Dutch colony. Singapore was a British colony, but was also a major regional trading center and as a result there was a Dutch community in Singapore. Early in the 20th century most Dutch expats in Singapore could afford to give their children home tuition. Class teaching has been given since 1920 in the Dutch Club on Cairnhill Road. 1928 Saw the formal establishment of the KPM-school for children of the staff and employees of the Koninklijke Pakketvaart Maatschappij (a shipping company in the Far East). The school was in Orange Grove Road near today’s Shangri-La Hotel. The Hollandse School moved into a new building on Bukit Tinggi Road in 1984. New wings were added in 1994 and 1998 and, for the kindergarten, in 2002.

The School

Today’s “Dutch School Limited “ is run and supported by the business community and it welcomes all children of whom at least one parent speaks Dutch to them. Their numbers vary between 200 and 250. By far the majority have Dutch, Belgian or Singaporese nationality. A number of these children will return to Belgium of Holland after a shorter or longer period of time or they may move on to become expats in yet another country. The curriculum is such that it fits in with education in the home countries but is geared as well to connect with international school systems should their parents be posted to an area were there is no Dutch education available.

School T-shirt

We note a number of boys and girls in a kind of smock-looking garment which is quartered in the Dutch colours. As all the children were wearing it and it clearly referred to Holland and hence the Dutch character of the school, it can be described as a kind of school uniform. The school reports, "We, as a Dutch School, have no school uniform. We do have a school t-shirt that is worn in p.e. classes and on school outings. "