My name is Jasheem Haresh Kumar and this is my recollection of how I learnt Chinese at Tao Nan school. My father hailed from Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Our family was not very well to do, but my parents were very strict; we survived on the small income my father earned as a labourer and my mother as a seamstress. They sent me to Tao Nan School to learn Chinese, because they were adamant that in order to survive in Singapore, one had to learn Chinese as many businesses were run by those who were educated in Chinese medium schools.
So, my parents signed me up as an extra-curriculum student at Tao Nan School. On top of my regular school days, I had to travel to Tao Nan School in the afternoon for Chinese and Chinese literature classes. I usually spent 3 hours in school in the afternoon and would walk home after that. So, in total I studied 3 languages – English, Malay, and Chinese. And eventually, against the odds, I managed a Junior Cambridge level pass in Chinese.
This photograph was taken sometime in the 1980s after Tao Nan School campus at Armenian Street was closed. It was during an alumni gathering where I met my teacher who taught me when I was in primary school, Mdm Wong (seen here standing on my left), together with some of the other teachers, and so we took a photograph together.
Meeting with my old teacher brought back memories, despite the short duration I spent in Tao Nan School. The time I spent struggling in school learning the Chinese language, and the late nights that I stayed up to read textbooks and complete my homework gave me the courage and necessary determination to succeed in my later life. Memories of the early days came surging back to me and I remembered the encouragement and support my family gave me — seeing my father coming back home late at night after a hard day at the worksite made me realize and understand that I, too, had to work hard in order to succeed in society.
I hope my story and the following poem will inspire Singaporeans from all walks of life to reflect on their heritage, overcome the challenges they are facing to become a more united, harmonious nation, regardless of race or religion :
My father was just a Bengali
Who worked everyday from dawn till ten p.m.
Came to SG all the way from Dhaka city
To be a labourer for the SIT
So even though I am now a citizen of SG
I never will forget, my Bangladeshi family
Who taught me
That construction work is never easy
And the way out of poverty
Is to be diligent and study
To the rest of my fellow Bengalis,
Working in the construction industry
Do not despair and go astray
For you too, may earn a Singaporean identity one day,
Through hard work, dedication and bravery
This, is my prayer for SG50.
