The Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) was established on 1 July 1899 to provide an all-round education for Straits Chinese girls.[1] It differed from the existing girls’ schools at the time because it was not started by missionaries. Instead, the school was founded by a group of British-educated Straits Chinese men, including Song Ong Siang and Lim Boon Keng,[2] who wanted to extend education to girls from their community.[3]
Mary Geary was the first principal of the school, which began lessons at 52 Hill Street with seven Straits Chinese girls.[4] Among its teaching staff was Lim’s first wife, who taught the Chinese language twice a week to the older girls.[5] Besides Chinese, other subjects included romanised Malay, arithmetic, geography and sewing. Lessons were conducted from 10 am to 2.30 pm, and the children wore their everyday clothes instead of a school uniform.[6]
The idea behind the founding of the school was considered radical by the local Chinese community, which, at the time, was still holding the conservative view that women should be illiterate. As a result, the community did not extend its support to the school, causing it to struggle through its formative years.[7] However, the financial aid provided by the colonial government enabled the school to continue operating, albeit at a constant exodus of teachers and a stagnant enrolment.[8] It was not until February 1925 when SCGS moved to Emerald Hill Road that it began to flourish and develop its own identity.[9]
Under the stewardship of principals such as Jessie Newsbitt, the school gained a school crest, uniform, motto and, most importantly, capable staff and a sound teaching programme.[10] Enrolment also started to increase, reaching 700 students by 1950.[11] SCGS remained at Emerald Hill until 1994, when it moved to its present location at Dunearn Road.[12]
References
1. Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. (2009). Spice is life (pp. 10–11). Singapore: Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. Call no.: RSING 641.5 SPI.
2. Ooi, Y. (1999). Pieces of jade and gold: An anecdotal history of the Singapore Chinese Girls' School 1899–1999 (pp. 8–9). Singapore: Singapore Chinese Girls' School. Call no.: RCLOS 373.5957 OOI.
3. Ooi, 1999, pp. 8–9.
4. Ooi, 1999, p. 12; Untitled. (1899, July 1). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, (1884–1942), p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. The Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. (1899, August 8). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, (1884–1942), p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Ooi, 1999, p. 12.
7. Ooi, 1999, pp. 9–11.
8. Ooi, 1999, pp. 9–21.
9. Ooi, 1999, p. 21.
10. Ooi, 1999, p. 22.
11. Ooi, 1999, p. 30.
12. Ooi, 1999, p. 43.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.