Tan Lark Sye: Advocator and Founder of Nanyang University
Ong Meng Chu, Lim Hoon Yong, & Ng Lai Yang (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814641494 / 9789814644754

This book records Mr Tan Lark Sye's remarkable contribution to the founding of Nanyang University. Mr Tan Lark Sye was born in Jimei, Fujian Province, China in 1887 and passed away in 1972. He was a leading rubber industrialist in Southeast Asia of his time. He was also an activist and believed in the value of education. As Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the 1950s, he fought for citizenship for Chinese people in Singapore, and for the Chinese language to be one of Singapore's official languages.

Mr Tan's most outstanding contribution, however, was the initiating of the founding of Nanyang University in 1953. He donated SGD 5 million, which was a colossus amount at the time, to its building fund, as well as 523 acres of land for its campus on behalf of the Hokkien Huay Kuan.

This collection of essays is based on a Chinese book published in 1997 to commemorate Mr Tan Lark Sye's centenary birthday by Nanyang University Alumni Association of Hong Kong. It collects essays by outstanding Nanyang graduates and speeches by Mr Tan. It elaborates on how Mr Tan advocated to establish the Nanyang University against various difficulties. It tells legendary life stories of Mr Tan. The book is well-illustrated with many precious pictures of Mr Tan and his family members. It is a must-read for those interested in the history of Nanyang University and the legendary life of Mr Tan.

Education, Culture and the Singapore Developmental State: "World-Soul" Lost and Regained?
Yeow Tong Chia
London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015
ISBN: 9781137374592

This book explores the role of education in the formation of the Singapore developmental state, through a study of education for citizenship in Singapore from 1955 to present day. The book provides a historical study of citizenship education in Singapore, whereby a comparative study of history, civics and social studies curricula, and the politics and policies that underpin them are examined. The book demonstrates how the state maintained its hegemony and legitimacy through the culture of crisis management through education. It is essentially the history of how Singapore's developmental state managed crises (imagined, real or engineered), and how changes in history, civics and social studies curricula, served to legitimize the state, through educating and moulding the desired 'good citizen' in the interest of nation building. Underpinning these changes has been the state's use of cultural constructs such as Confucianism and Asian values to shore up its legitimacy.

Tapestries: A Teaching Life
Mrs Toh Kah Beng
Singapore: Ethos Books, 2014
ISBN: 9789810934736

Mrs Toh Kah Beng -- a teacher's name which brought both fear and respect into the hearts of generations of students from one of Singapore's top schools.

Growing up in the early years of post‐war Singapore, Mrs Toh experienced hardship and poverty, but also learnt discipline and perseverance, which she brought to the classroom when she became a teacher; she sought to imbibe in her students at that stage of their young lives.

Tapestries is a collection of reflections by Mrs Toh on her life, her principles, her (at times) harsh actions and outlook on dealing with life and young lives in a country coping with the throes of change. Whether in the area of politics, public service, medicine, engineering, real estate or others; students from the schools where she taught never forgot the stern discipline or quiet compassion which she demonstrated as a teacher.

Many are now top political leaders, policy makers, leading professionals and leaders in their industries. Arguably, the lessons they learnt from those years have been formative in shaping their own careers and attitudes to a life of service.

Teaching Science in Culturally Relevant Ways: Ideas From Singapore Teachers
Teo Tang Wee & Khoh Rong Lun (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2014
ISBN: 9789814618175

This book encapsulates the vision of Singapore science educators to bring the local elements of the country to bear in the science curriculum. In experimenting with familiar materials used and consumed in our everyday lives, and applying scientific knowledge to analyse and provide explanations of the observed phenomena the editors and contributing authors hope to introduce culturally relevant science activities for enactment in the formal and informal science curriculum. This work is premised on the collective belief that learning science in culturally relevant ways underscores the importance of ones culture embodied with funds of knowledge to make the learning of science meaningful. They see this as a step toward achieving the broader and long-term goal of developing a scientifically literate citizenry.

The Other Singapore Story: One Man's Journey From PSLE Failure to University Graduate
Ravindran Kanna
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2014
ISBN: 9789814561198

This book tells the story of a young man who failed his PSLE examinations, but through sheer determination, perseverance and hard work is now a graduate teacher at a primary school in Singapore.

Attending a full-time vocational course (Maintenance Fitting) in the day and part-time night classes, he scored his first success -- a GCE N Level certificate in 1989. While in National Service, he studied and sat for the O Level exams, not once but twice so as to get better results to enter a polytechnic. While holding full-time day jobs, he attended night classes at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and in 1997 obtained a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. In 2000, he joined the Ministry of Education and attended teacher training courses in the day while continuing at the polytechnic at night; by 2002, he had two more diplomas to his name -- a Diploma in Education and an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Engineering and Management. Capping it all is a Bachelor of Arts in English with Psychology awarded by UniSIM in 2005.

The author did not let failure set him back nor problems or challenges defeat him. He forged on with an iron will. He took a shot at every available educational opportunity Singapore offered to better himself -- and he succeeded. A firm believer in lifelong learning, his 16-year journey of part-time studies covers true events of the many people who have helped him in one way or other.

The Leader, the Teacher and You: Leadership Through the Third Generation
Lim Siong Guan & Joanne H. Lim
London: Imperial College Press, 2013
ISBN: 9781783263776

Former Head of the Singapore Civil Service Mr Lim Siong Guan now shares his diverse experiences and fresh insights on leadership in his exclusive new book, The Leader, The Teacher & You. As a former Permanent Secretary in ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Finance, and former chairman of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board, the indefatigable public servant has contributed greatly to Singapore's success, introducing innovative policies and practices at each turn, which have greatly enhanced drive and performance across the board. Most notably, he is known for his pursuit of excellence, especially in spearheading the Public Service for the 21st Century (PS21) movement, to develop organizational excellence. From Singapore's early years of government to its emergence as a prosperous metropolis, Lim has served the nation tirelessly through the years.

In The Leader, The Teacher & You, Lim puts forth a fresh take on the notion of leadership as other-centered, with the focus on enabling others to be the best they can be. This noble vision of leadership is elaborated and built upon through the sharing of his experiences, in particular the memorable lessons and deep-seated convictions he has had while serving under Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister, and Dr Goh Keng Swee, Singapore's First Deputy Prime Minister. Different types of leadership, such as personal and position leadership are touched upon as the author encourages leaders to take an active role in empowering those they lead and spurring them on to excellence. Coming from a man who has helmed many distinguished organizations, Mr Lim's insights on core values essential for organizational excellence are also not to be missed. The book offers practical and down-to-earth advice for leaders in all walks of life. For leaders who genuinely care for the people they lead and hope to make a difference in their lives, this book will be a crucial guide.

Education and the Nation State: The Selected Works of S. Gopinathan
Saravanan Gopinathan
London: Routledge, 2013
ISBN: 9780415719018

In the World Library of Educationalists series, international experts themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces - extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions - so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. In a career spanning four decades, S. Gopinathan is considered by many to be a pillar of teacher education in Singapore. He has played a key role in the establishment and transformation of Singapore's education system, pioneering many programmes and advising on policy both nationally and internationally. In the process, he has contributed over 25 books (authored, co-authored and edited) and 115 articles and book chapters to the field, and continues to inspire and empower younger colleagues in the region to challenge the cause for excellence in education and education reform.

In Education and the Nation State, S. Gopinathan brings together 14 of his key writings in one volume. Starting with a specially written introduction, which gives an overview of Gopinathan's career and contextualises his selection, the essays are then arranged thematically, providing an overview not just of his own career, but also reflecting the development and key concerns of education in the nation state that is Singapore.

Education-At-Large: Student Life & Activities in Singapore 1945-1965
Teng Siao See, Chan Cheow Thia & Lee Juay Leng (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2013
ISBN: 9789814405546

The first part of the book contains documentation of a groundbreaking exhibition held in 2007 on student activities and societal engagements during post-war Singapore 1945-1965 and transcripts of forums held in conjunction with it. The second half centres on oral history accounts of mostly former Chinese school students who shared about their social, cultural and political activities in complex but exciting times.

Education-at-large broadens our understanding of Singapore's educational history in the transitional period between the end of the Second World War and the country's independence; examines the ways in which student activities and activism resonated with, and contributed to, the country's wider social, political and cultural life, as well as the decolonisation process; and stimulates debates about Chinese education and student activism in Singapore.

Education in Singapore: Taking Stock, Looking Forward
Jason Tan (ed.)
Singapore: Pearson, 2012
ISBN: 9789810692391

Education in Singapore: Taking Stock, Looking Forward casts an analytical lens on key issues in the Singapore education system. The various contributors are a mix of academics and postgraduate students, most of whom are Singaporeans who have experienced the Singapore education system from differing perspectives as students or as school teachers.

The frenetic pace of reform that has characterised the past fifteen years appears to have slowed somewhat. It is thus timely to take stock of key aspects of Singapore’s education system as well as to make predictions for the immediate future. This book has as its target audience policymakers, school leaders and school teachers both within and outside of Singapore who have an interest in scholarly critiques of Singapore’s education system.

Did You Know?: Brother Joseph McNally
Mary Strang
Singapore: Pearson, 2012
ISBN: 9789810621179

Brother Joseph McNally was an Irishman by birth, but became a Singaporean by choice. A missionary with the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Brother Joseph came to Singapore as a teacher. A great man and an even better teacher, Brother Joseph touched many lives in the years that he lived here. An artist at heart, he made many contributions to further the importance of art in Singapore, and we have him to thank for founding the LASALLE College of the Arts. Get to know this gentle but passionate man who dedicated his life to serving the people of Singapore!

Lead Your Life: Eight Respected Singaporeans Reflect on Leadership, Labour and Love
Warren Fernandez
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2012
ISBN: 9789814342186

In Lead Your Life, eight prominent old boys of St Joseph’s Institution – Cabinet Minister, University President, and CEOs – recount the times they were called on to exercise leadership and how they responded to that call in a series of frank exchanges with Straits Times editor Warren Fernandez.

In a series of conversations on the art of leadership held in 2010–2011 at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore – dubbed The Fullerton-SJI Leadership Lectures – distinguished alumni of St Joseph’s Institution shared what they had learnt about leadership, and the leaders they had become, with a younger generation.

From government leaders to business chiefs, iconoclasts to intellectuals – they are all leaders in their own right. Their leadership moments ranged from a call to serve as a deputy prime minister, the SARS epidemic, or a financial scandal at the National Kidney Foundation. Whatever the case, they shared openly how they responded to the call of leadership. Their styles and presentations differed markedly; their insights were rich and diverse, drawing on their experiences in fields such as banking, government, the arts and non-government volunteer organisations. Ideas ranged from how to build organisations, provide visionary leadership, establish trust and credibility, stay humble and grounded, manage time and stress, while preparing to plug-and-play in an increasingly complex and connected world.

Goh Keng Swee: A Legacy of Public Service
Emrys Chew & Kwa Chong Guan (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2012
ISBN: 9789814390750

Dr. Goh Keng Swee's extensive career as a public servant was dynamic as well as distinguished, in many ways decisively instrumental in the making of the Republic of Singapore. This distinctive collection of essays attempts an assessment of the long-term influence and significance of Dr. Goh's major contributions.

Envisaged as a companion volume to Goh Keng Swee: A Public Career Remembered, this volume brings together an exceptional team of Singaporean scholars whose interdisciplinary expertise and cross-generational perspectives offer a balanced analysis and nuanced appraisal of Dr. Goh's lifetime of public service. The book's contributors argue that Dr. Goh's past endeavours bequeathed an enduring legacy, meriting fresh examination and careful evaluation in order to appreciate the heroic scale of such achievement.

Particularly instructive are the examples of Dr. Goh's thinking patriotism, fiscal prudence, strategic pragmatism, and creative imagination at work - technocracy at its finest - which could be of immediate, practical benefit to a wider ‘nation of technocrats’. Further illumination comes from the insights of those contributors who had worked with the former Deputy Prime Minister and knew him personally. For a half-century that witnessed key turning points and phases of development in Singapore's transformation from colonial port city to independent global city, Dr. Goh played a leading role in the crafting and conduct of public policy, as with the creation of public institutions, which made the difference between survival and success.

The organization of this volume reflects both a thematic approach and a chronological arrangement of material, the focus and the order of chapters corresponding to the historical sequence of public offices that Dr. Goh held: social welfare; political and constitutional evolution; development economics and finance; the armed forces and defence industry; the education system, from schools through higher education to the research institutes; Chinese studies, from Confucianism to ‘China watching’; and cultural development, with special emphasis on the creation of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Goh Keng Swee: A Legacy of Public Service will be read by present and future generations of public servants, by Singaporeans in general, and by all students and laypersons with an interest in the modern history of Singapore — social, economic, political, military, and cultural — to which a characteristically simple and frugal Dr. Goh contributed both decisively and unreservedly.

Teaching is Heartwork: Reflections of Beginning Teachers in Singapore Schools
Goh Kim Chuan, Low Ee Ling, & Sylvia Chong (eds.)
Singapore: Prentice Hall, 2011
ISBN: 9789810686215

This book shares the personal stories of nine newly qualified teachers and two pre-service teachers at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore.

Teaching Is Heartwork showcases these individuals' reflections on their first forays into the classroom. At times candid, wavering and tongue-in-cheek, this highly personal collection gives readers a rare peek into the passions, uncertainties and small victories of teachers as they take those first steps on a very long journey in being educators. More than anything, this book shows that teaching is much more than hard work - that Teaching is Heartwork.

Singapore Shifting Boundaries: Social Change in the Early 21st Century
William S.W. Lim, Sharon Siddique & Tan Dan Feng (eds.)
Singapore: Asian Urban Lab, 2011
ISBN: 9789814022743

This book aims to depict the richly textured and nuanced fabric of social life in Singapore in the early 21st century, as Singaporeans live in a blur of shifting boundaries where past, present and future co-exist.

36 commentators, artists and activists of different ages and backgrounds share their views in stimulating and compact pieces that come in a variety of literary forms, including essays, commentaries, reflections, poems, dialogues, novel and script excerpts, blog entries and presentations.

These colourful pieces touch on identity, language, culture, ethnicity, sexuality, politics, memory, religion, geography, arts and activism, painting a picture of the complex and vibrant society that is Singapore today.

Those Who Can't, Teach
Haresh Sharma
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2010
ISBN: 9789810855109

Those Who Can't, Teach turns the spotlight on the mapcap lives of teachers and students in a typical secondary school in Singapore. As the teachers struggle daily to nurture and groom, the students prefer to hang out and "chillax". With upskirting and facebooking, griping and politicking, school takes on a whole new meaning as the colourful characters struggle to prove that those who can, teach.

Merdeka and Much More: The Reminiscences of a Raffles Professor 1953-67
K.G. Tregonning
Singapore: NUS Press, 2010
ISBN: 9789971694227

Professor K.G. Tregonning's anecdotal memoir of his years as a member of the Department of History in the University of Singapore, culminating as Raffles Professor, captures the mood and milieu of Singapore as the country emerged from colonial rule to become a self-governing independent nation. Arriving at the height of the Cold War, Tregonning was acutely conscious of the ongoing Malayan Emergency and of the political shifts taking place across Southeast Asia. He records meetings with a number of the region's leaders, and encounters with students and colleagues who would later feature in Singapore politics, or become leading figures in the academic world. The result is an engaging and very personal account of a university and a professional, political and social environment that is very different from that found in Singapore today.

De La Salle Malaysia & Singapore: The Tradition. The Legacy. The Future
Ian Ward, Norma Miraflor, & David Webb
Singapore: Media Masters, 2009
ISBN: 9789834430023

This volume portrays a broad picture of Lasallian history as it have evolved over the past 157 years within the eight major institutions that have been run by the Brothers in the neighbouring territories of Malaysia and Singapore. It brings into contemporary focus a pattern of educational endeavour that has provided untold benefits for both nations through all those years.

The book seeks to examine and record, both dispassionately and objectively, an extremely complex journey. The reality is that the movement launched locally with such zeal and fervour in 1852 by the pioneering Brothers finds itself at a critical crossroad. The world has vastly changed, particularly over the past 50 years. As of June 2009, not a single Lasallian school in either Peninsular Malaysia or Singapore has a la Salle Brother as principal. Meanwhile, the overall number of active teaching Brother across both territories has dwindled to just a handful.

Is there a way forward for a highly distinctive and immensely valuable tradition in local education - one widely recognised as “the Lasallian ethos?” This becomes the underlying theme of the book’s final chapters.

Men For Others: A Portrait of the Josephian Over the Years
Warren Fernandez
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2009
ISBN: 9789814266192

St. Joseph's Institution (SJI) has been educating young people from all segments of Singapore society since 1852.

The school is rooted in the teaching traditions established by the Brothers of the Christian Order, founded by John Baptist de La Salle in France in 1680.

Its mission: to imbue young boys drawn from families of all backgrounds with a sense of faith, service and community, moulding them into "Men of Integrity and Men for Others".

This book is a story about that mission. It sketches how the school came to be set up in Bras Basah Road, where it stood through ups and downs for over a century, before moving to its present home in Malcolm Road. It also reveals how the new SJI International, to be opened officially in May 2009, came into being, and the drive of the Brothers and old boys who helped bring it to life.

The SJI story is inextricably tied to that of its students, and this book is a collective portrait of the Josephian. It profiles 50 men and women who graced the school corridors over the years and grew to share in its mission and beliefs, and looks at how they are striving to keep that spirit alive by living it out in their everyday lives - as professionals, in business, in politics and public service, or simply as good fathers, husbands, sons and friends.

For a Better Age: Musings of a Teacher
Eugene Wijeysingha
Singapore: Candid Creation, 2009
ISBN: 9789810813147

It was not by design that Eugene Wijeysingha became a teacher. Set on continuing his education beyond secondary school but devoid of the financial means to do so, he settled for a teaching bursary. This required him to teach for at least five years upon graduation. Beginning as a teacher in a demanding classroom setting, he then traversed the educational hierarchy before ending up as principal. In the process, the enthusiasm and passion for sharing in the lives of young people gathered momentum. For 35 years, he walked with them, shaping and nurturing the best in them. He never looked back, nor did he regret the way his destiny unfolded. Today, in retirement, he relishes the thought of a life well-spent and the untold rewards that were garnered throughout his career in education.