From 1953 to 1956 (P1 till P4), we did only Arithmetic - the 4 rules in calculating numbers, money, weights, lengths and volumes in different local and English units.
In P5 our Mathematics Syllabus included Algebra and Geometry.
In 1958, I was in Primary 6. The Mathematical Instrument Set was needed to do our Geometrical drawing. The shops in the area where I stayed - Bedok - did not stock such thing. My father and I had to go to Katong to get.
It was my one of my first precious stationery. I had only bought cheap pencils,erasers and sharpeners. I had never even bought a book. All my textbooks were on loan from the Government at $1 per year.
After buying it, I polished all the contents inside especially the shiny dividers and compasses. Then I spread cotton wool on the bottom of the box before putting in all the instruments. The blue blotter was meant to pick up undried ink from our writing on the paper. I seldom used it. The 6-inch ruler had only one sharp dent made by the Compasses at the Zero marking. The rest were all in pristine condition.
After having used the set, I closed it up and then sleeved it with the Oxford sleeve provided.
From then on, I had always treated all things in my possessions with utmost care.
