KUMARASAMY, S
Education in Singapore (Part 3: Malay/Tamil),
Accession Number 001669
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 6
Total Reels
- S Varathan
Interviewer
- 02:57:38
Total Running Time
- Tamil
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Jul 1995
Recording Date
- 00:30:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Family background. Came to Malaya in 1933 by ship. Joined William Jacks Company as apprentice electrician. Went to school at age of eight in India but stopped halfway. Description of journey to Kuala Lumpur.Studied English in Kuala Lumpur night school. Description of Japanese Occupation. Came to Singapore in 1942.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Jul 1995
Recording Date
- 00:30:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Further description of Japanese Occupation. Married a Chinese lady to protect her from Japanese soldiers as they did not trouble Indians. Japanese employed him to work at Singapore Naval Base. Toddy used as medicine. In 1945, bomb fell and his body was buried in sand except his head. Many came from the estates to work in Singapore. Tapioca was the main food
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Reel/Disc 3 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Jul 1995
Recording Date
- 00:30:23
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Japanese surrender at end of 1945 and other incidents during that period. Many Tamil schools started after British return. Names of Tamil schools. Started Tamil Association, bought place at Sultan Street and built Naval Base Tamil School. Many Malayalees against this. He and his friends were locked up in a house. School started with one class. Very difficult to find teachers. Communist activities prevailed in vernacular schools. Later went to Changi Tamil School and taught there at night.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Jul 1995
Recording Date
- 00:28:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Dr Buckler, standing for Urban Council Election approached him for support. Agreed to campaign for his victory on condition that his Tamil school be rebuilt. Election was won and school rebuilt. A subsidy of sixty cents given per child. Bought more land and extended school. Tamil schools started functioning under the Tamil Education Society (TES). Description of TES's role.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Jul 1995
Recording Date
- 00:30:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Became a member of Tamil Education Society. Society's role. City Council election committee approached him for support. In return for his support, wanted Pasir Panjang Tamil School to be built. Lee Kuan Yew helped to build the new Naval Base Tamil School. Tamil teachers paid $80 to $120. After PAP came to power, pay raised.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 6
Metadata
- 16 Jul 1995
Recording Date
- 00:27:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*How difficult it was to get teachers in 1950; how problem was solved when Teachers Training School started in 1960s. His involvement in raising funds for Bharathithasan Tamil School. He has six children, three of whom are teachers.
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