Tao Nan School is established

Tao Nan School was founded on 18 November 1906 under the auspices of the Hokkien Huay Kuan (clan association) in Singapore.^[1] The idea for the establishment of a modern school for Hokkien children was first raised by community leader Tan Boo Liat.^[2] The school’s initial operational and subsequent general maintenance costs were funded by the Hokkien community.^[3] Contributors to the cause included prominent businessmen and philanthropists such as Lee Cheng Yen, Lim Kim Pong and Tan Kah Kee.^[4] The school also received an annual subsidy from the Hokkien clan association.^[5] Chen Baochen, a tutor of China’s last emperor, Puyi, was credited with giving Tao Nan School its name.^[6]

The school began with 90 pupils at Siam House, located opposite St Andrew’s Cathedral on North Bridge Road.^[7] In addition to lessons on Confucian classics, history, geography and Mandarin, the pupils had three hours of physical education every week.^[8] In 1909, Tao Nan School started admitting non-Hokkien children and became the first Chinese school in Singapore to welcome pupils from different dialect groups.^[9] By 1910, the number of pupils had increased to 308.^[10] In the same year, a $10,000 donation from sugar tycoon Oei Tiong Ham enabled Tao Nan School to acquire a plot of land at 39 Armenian Street for a new school building to accommodate the growing enrolment.^[11] The building (present-day Peranakan Museum) was completed in March 1912.^[12] Classes were taught in Hokkien until 1916 when Tao Nan became the first modern Chinese school in the Straits Settlements to adopt Mandarin as the medium of instruction.^[13]

References
1. Tao Nan School. (2006). 100 years of Tao Nan (p. 14). Singapore: SNP International Pub. Call no.: YRSING 372.95957 TAO.
2. Tao Nan School, 2006, p. 14.
3. Foo, A. (1997). Collecting memories: The Asian Civilisations Museum at the old Tao Nan School (p. 15). Singapore: National Heritage Board. Call no.: RSING 372.95957 COL.
4. Foo, 1997, p. 15.
5. Foo, 1997, p. 15.
6. Foo, 1997, p. 15.
7. Foo, 1997, p. 17.
8. Tao Nan School, 2006, p. 14.
9. Tao Nan School, 2006, p. 15.
10. Foo, 1997, p. 17.
11. Foo, 1997, p. 19.
12. Foo, 1997, p. 19.
13. Tao Nan School, 2006, p. 21.