SETHI, Baldev Raj
Education in Singapore (Part 1: English),
Accession Number 001408
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 23
Total Reels
- Jesley Chua Chee Huan
Interviewer
- 11:37:50
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 23
Metadata
- 12 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:27
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Came to Singapore in 1936 but left for India two years later. Returned to Singapore in 1947. Family background. Educated in Anglo-Chinese School (ACS). Informal school environment. School philosophy. Why he chose a Christian school even though he is a Hindu. First day in school. School population. Students' background. Relaxed school environment. Subjects he took. Religious service. Family's view towards religion.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 23
Metadata
- 12 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Absence of punishment in Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) helped him to adapt to school environment. Assembly included singing hymns and chapel service. Student counsellors given decision-making power. Students approached principal more often than teachers. School facilities. Teachers used to lunch with students. Class size. A lot of freedom in school. Values emphasised in school. Why there was no prize-giving.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 23
Metadata
- 12 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Students given testimonials instead of prizes. What they studied for Hygiene. His love for Mathematics. No science subject offered during his time. Emphasis on Latin and Literature. Teachers that impressed him the most. What inspired his love for books. Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) had close relationship with Methodist Girls' School (MGS).
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Reel/Disc 4 of 23
Metadata
- 17 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
He joined teaching profession in 1950. First taught in Rangoon Primary School. Why he wanted to teach. Parents' reactions towards his choice of profession. Half of the student population in Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) were Christians. No corporal punishment. Fund-raising, extra-curricular activities (ECA) in ACS. Production of class magazine.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 23
Metadata
- 17 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Contents of class magazine. His part-time course at Teachers' Training College (TTC). Lecturers were mostly expatriates or wives of army officers. Reasons for high dropout rate at TTC. More student intake at TTC after 1956. Relationship between teachers and students in TTC. Vast discrepancy between theory and practice of teaching. Lecturers had little teaching experience. Criteria for entry into TTC. His salary.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 23
Metadata
- 17 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:30:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
High failure rate for practical teaching examinations. Relationship between school principals and lecturers from Teachers' Training College (TTC). Lecturers' visits not welcomed by schools. How he coped with teaching and attending courses. His training years in Playfair School. School was initially supervised by two principals from different sessions. School lacked proper facilities. Visits by school inspectors.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 23
Metadata
- 24 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
High attrition rate in teaching profession. Difference in pay between normal- trained and those with Certificate-in-Education. Disparity between these two groups affected morale. Playfair School started in mid-1950. School top-heavy in terms of administration. Problems in school. Free textbooks for the poor. Students' background. School facilities. Wide age gap between students due to the war. Build-up of schools.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 23
Metadata
- 24 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Build-up of schools in 1950s. Why discipline was easier with different age groups within a class. Class size. Problems he faced during initial post-war years. Relationship amongst teachers. Little communication between principal and teachers. Why two principals would not function within a school. Teachers received little guidance. Planning of curriculum.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 23
Metadata
- 24 Feb 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His opinion of corporal punishment. General discipline in Playfair School. Extra-curricular activities (ECA). Attire worn during physical exercises. Teachers given a free hand in disciplining the children. How he taught the different age groups in class. His working hours. Staff room. Allocation of teaching timetable.
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