Park Road School Part 10

English is the medium of instruction in Park Road School like all Singapore English State schools. Singapore students were to attend primary school at age 7; it would last for 6 years and at the end of the period which they sat for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). PSLE, a student’s first standardised national examination, was the cornerstone of Singapore’s modern education system. The first PSLE in Singapore was introduced in 1960. 1968 was an important year for me. 4 major events occurred. The first was that at the end of my Primary 6, PSLE was held to assess my suitability to leave the primary school by passing the examination and to proceed for the secondary education. Based on the result of the examination, a place in the secondary school of my choice was allocated to me; we were given 2 choices of secondary schools. I recalled that when I took the PLSE in 1968, the students were only advised whether they had passed or failed the examination and the name of secondary school they were posted to. In 1973, PSLE T-scores were introduced but not disclosed to pupils; the scores were confidential. In 1980, new pass criteria for the examination were implemented and letter grades A, B, C and D were used. While many Singaporeans advocate the annual administration of the PSLE, the system attracts a fair share of critics. PSLE is felt to be a high-stake examination. It has been criticised for the tremendous amount of stress imposed upon the students and parents alike. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned in his 2013 National Day Rally speech that the aggregate scoring system was one of the institutions that need to be refined. PM Lee admitted that over the years, Singaporeans had come to perceive the PSLE as a matter of life and death. The adamant belief that the aggregate score ‘determined the student’s future’ had led to numerous instances where the student’s family became involved as part of the examination process. Singapore is removing the current scoring system for PSLE to reduce competition among the students and to increase non-academic development for the children. The second was the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccination that I had received. Vaccination was generally a very safe procedure. At my tender age, I did not know what BCG was about and much less the acronyms stood for. All I knew was that it would be painful. The characteristic raised scar BCG immunization left was often used as proof of prior immunisation. This scar must be distinguished from that of the small pox vaccination which it may resemble. The BCG Vaccine is one of the first vaccines given at birth. It protects against tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection of the lungs which is actively present in many Asian populations. In its more serious form, it can infect the brain and bone or may be disseminated throughout the body. TB was a leading cause of death in the first half of the century in Singapore. With improved socio-economic conditions and established TB control measures, the incidence rate of TB had declined. In Singapore since 1957, BCG vaccination has been given to all newborns. In addition, a second BCG vaccination has been given to children at 12 years. But in Malaysia and Singapore, from 1 July 2001, the Ministry of Health decided to discontinue the practice of a second BCG vaccination. However, all newborns will continue to receive BCG vaccination at birth. The Ministry has informed the schools, parents and doctors of the decision to discontinue the practice of a second BCG vaccination. The Ministry reassures all parents that the discontinuation of the practice of a second BCG vaccination does not pose a threat to the health of their children. In 1968, I also collected my laminated pink NRIC. NRIC is the abbreviated form for the National Registration Identity Card which is the identity document in use in Singapore. It is compulsory for all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents who are 15 years of age and older to have their NRICs. Singapore paper type identity cards (ICs) were introduced in 1948 after the Second World War by the British colonial government to identify those born in the colony. Singapore's independence in 1965 brought on the 1966 National Registration Act. All persons 12 years of age and older residing in Singapore and permanent residents were required to register and issued with an IC. A new IC was introduced in 6 May 1966. Pink ICs for Singapore Citizens and Blue ICs for Permanent Residents. It replaced the old ones which proved to have some security weaknesses. The ICs came laminated and printed with newly-issued identification numbers. In 1986, the National Registration Office introduced on-line printing of particulars on the ICs. The IC's outdated size was inconvenient as it could not fit into the wallets. In 1991, new credit card-sized ICs were introduced. The size and new material used made them more convenient and durable. Their state-of-the-art security features help guard against abuse. The country underwent an IC conversion exercise from 3 June 1991 to 22 October 1997. This revision makes it more convenient for the public since ICs now need to be renewed only once. Re-registration is required for all Singapore IC holders who have reached 30 years of age on or after 1 Jan 2002 and who have not been issued with a replacement IC within the last 10 years before reaching the age of 30. In 1968, I was appointed the Head Prefect of Park Road School by the Prefect Master, Mr. Ong Leng San . That year saw a change of Prefectorial system. The school Prefects wore on the neck the scarf with pink and white stripes in lieu of the Prefect badge on left breast pocket. The school teachers usually treated the Prefects as their student leaders. They were given responsibilities in keeping the school in order and clean They also helped out in all the school functions such as the Sports Day. When I was in Primary 4 and 5, I was appointed class Monitor. The school offered me the leadership learning opportunities, transforming me from a timid and shy kid into a mature and confident boy. As school Prefects, we were given the daily ritual of raising the Singapore flag during school assembly time. Lim See Kok and I (both of us were Prefects) always stood in the front of principal, teachers and classes when the school was assembled (in the front of the porch) for the flag-raising ceremony. We had to be in school early to pick up the Singapore Flag from the school office and tied it up at the flag pole ready for the assembly. Both of us were the flag raisers when the National Anthem was played and the pledge was taken. The school must follow the compulsory policies set by the Ministry of Education in playing the national anthem and taking the pledge. The daily practice of singing the National Anthem and reciting the pledge were ways we seek to inculcate and demonstrate our value of "Love for School and Nation". It was a solemn start to the school day reminding us of the ideals we stand for and values we should live by.