GOPIENDRAN, Nirmala
Social Sector,
Accession Number 003814
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 20
Total Reels
- Ho Swee Ann
Interviewer
- 12:18:45
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 20
Metadata
- 15 Aug 2013
Recording Date
- 00:37:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born in 1947 in Segamat, Malaysia. Completed her degree in India. 1970, came to Singapore to join eldest sister and husband. Began exploring job options. Difficulty in finding a job. Family’s support to her interest in social work.
Found out about a post-graduate course in University of Singapore (now renamed National University of Singapore (NUS)), in Social Studies that incorporated social work. The difficulty in getting a place in the course. Her feelings of disappointment when she was rejected. Discovered the Social Work Conference and signed up to attend. Met Mrs Ann Wee, then Head of social work. Spoke about how the chance meeting with Mrs Ann Wee, and her personal volunteering work (with Singapore Association for Retarded Children (SARC)) helped her get a place in the Social Studies course.
Volunteering for SARC at Margaret Drive (now renamed Movement for the Intellectually Disabled, (MINDs)). Described the headquarters at Margaret Drive in the early ‘70s. Spoke about the organisation structure and board members of SARC. Recalled key personnel who ran the organisation: then President, Mr Lim Ewe Huat, Vice-President, Mr Wong Man Kee. The development of SARC under Mr Lim Ewe Huat. The history of special education in Singapore dates back to 50 – 60 years ago.
Described the “As good as new” boutique store in SARC, set up and ran by expatriates. Spoke about how SARC raised funds. The salary structure and management of social workers in the ‘70s. Public’s perception of social workers. Process of how children end up in SARC. Her family supported her career decision. Spoke about how she started volunteering at SARC. Interviewed by Mrs Muthuswamy. Began to talk about how she understudied senior social workers.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 20
Metadata
- 15 Aug 2013
Recording Date
- 00:37:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Continued to talk about how she understudied Mrs Muthuswamy observing how she conducted interviews with the parents. Spoke about social workers’ roles in such interviews. How all children who were diagnosed as mentally disabled in hospitals were referred to Singapore Association for Retarded Children (SARC). The stigma parents in the ‘70s had towards sending their child to SARC as oppose to a normal school. Gave an overview on how children were enrolled in the school from the hospitals. Spoke about communication between hospital staff and SARC. Spoke about the public’s perception of these children. Spoke about superstitions that impaired parents’ understanding of their child’s disability.
The rationale behind starting up SARC and why it was later renamed Movement for the Intellectually Disabled (MINDs) and then most recently, Rainbow Centre. Recalled an SARC learning centre that occupied a small shophouse in Toa Payoh in the 1970s. Fond memories and admiration of a teacher called Miss Ratna. How the classes were carried out at Toa Payoh, and the kind of activities the children did. Her feelings when she was assisting Miss Ratna. The role of teachers and volunteers in a classroom setting. Volunteers were inconsistent. Described age range of children, and how the classes are divided. Difficulties in coordinating and conducting these classes with children of varying disabilities.
Described the pitiable conditions of the Tampines Home for SARC which housed 50 – 60 residents. Returned to describe the Toa Payoh classroom: facilities were bare minimum, basic food and drinks were provided for the kids.
Her milestones in volunteering for SARC. Started a Saturday programme for after 13-year-old kids. The motivation behind starting this programme. Discussion with Mrs Muthuswamy sparked off this project for older children. The activities conducted during the Saturday classes. Began to talk about the idea and process behind conceptualising and getting the programme approved by the board.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 20
Metadata
- 28 Aug 2013
Recording Date
- 00:37:28
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of Singapore Association for Retarded Children (SARC) building at Margaret Drive. Comparison of the building in the ‘70s and today. Described facilities and the workforce in the ‘70s. Spoke about the role of the different staff. Volunteers came sporadically. Elaborated on how classes were divided according to age and intellectual functioning levels of the child.
Explained the process on how a child ends up at SARC. Their needs are first recognised in hospitals to determine whether they are sent to SARC or Association with Persons with Special Needs (APSN). Doctors will do the IQ testing and diagnose. The rationale behind the set-up of APSN. Elaborated on the work done by teachers and social workers after the doctor’s diagnosis. The operations of the school at Margaret Drive compared to its outlet at Toa Payoh.
Her role as an Assistant Teacher to Miss Ratna at the Toa Payoh school. Recalled the problems she faced being Assistant Teacher. Spoke about the lack of resources in the Toa Payoh school. Fond memory of receiving free food confiscated by environment officers from illegal hawkers. The role of National Council of Special Schools (NCSS) and Ministry of Education (MOE) in the set up of special schools. Elaborated on how there were parent-teacher meetings regularly where children progress reports are given to the parents. The role of medical staff present at these parent-teacher meetings.
Spoke about the importance of communication between parents, social worker and doctor. Fond recollection of Fridays at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) paediatrics, Mistri Wing. Every Friday SGH opens their doors to children with special needs to do follow up appointments or meet new cases. Spoke about how malnutrition was a big issue in the 1970s. Spoke about helping families with financial difficulty. Funds were raised through children’s’ charities and MOE for APSN, SARC.
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