• Index of this issue

No. 62, July 2008

The National Library Board (NLB) and the History Association of Singapore (HAS) jointly launched the "Singapore: The First Ten Years of Independence" guide and the National Essay Competition at the National Library on 29 March 2008. The essay competition was part of a national initiative to promote better understanding of good governance and leadership in Singapore. The publishing initiative in NLB focuses on bridging knowledge gaps, such as on national education subjects, where there is little commercial interest.

Both the essay competition and the guide were part of a larger project - including a traveling exhibition - to increase the knowledge and awareness among students and young Singaporeans of the contributions and the challenges faced by the first Cabinet Ministers of Singapore. The project was conceptualized in response to the recent passing of a few members of the first Cabinet and the realization that many young Singaporeans were not familiar with them and their contributions to Singapore. The initiative supports NLB’s Library2010 objective of bringing knowledge alive, sparking imagination and creating possibilities for a vibrant and creative Singapore.

For the essay competition, participating students were to write an essay on their views of the first decade of Singapore’s nation building after its independence in 1965 and what the first Cabinet’s leadership meant to them. They were encouraged to include the experiences of their parents and grandparents who had lived through that period and witnessed how Singapore’s first Cabinet Ministers overcame the challenges. Interested participants were required to submit their essays online at http://firstcabinet.nl.sg by 20 June 2008.

The "Singapore: The First Ten Years of Independence" guide contains short write-ups on the key challenges that confronted the early national leaders and how the issues were overcome. The guide includes rarely seen photographs of the first Cabinet Ministers, a resource list of books, newspaper articles, websites, pictures and other important rare materials, which are available at the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. Students were strongly encouraged to refer to this guide for their essays.

The guide is meant for students, scholars and general readers who are interested in discovering more about the first Cabinet of the Republic of Singapore, the key figures and national policies which helped shape Singapore. It introduces the reader to the challenges faced by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet during Singapore’s independence in 1965, the transformations that were initiated in the nation’s security, economy and society over the first decade of independence, and the individual ministers who worked together to implement the changes.

The Guest of Honour gracing the launch event was Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited, who shared his experience of living in Singapore during the period 1965 to 1975 and spoke on "Leadership in Singapore: Past,Present and Future". The launch was attended by 120 guests, including history teachers and students. Every student received a complimentary copy of the guide. Free copies of the guide have been given to all primary and secondary schools and junior colleges in Singapore. Limited copies of the guide are also available for loan in all National Library Board libraries.

Students listening attentively to Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited who was Guest of Honour for the launch event.

Unveiling the web address for the National Essay Competition.