Theatres of conflict: remembering the Chinese middle schools' difficult heritage (1954 National Service Ordinance Incident)

Abstract

The Chinese Middle Schools in Singapore – such as Hwa Chong Institution and Chung Cheng High Schools – are often recognised for their rich histories and contributions to Singapore’s education scene. While they are being lauded for these contributions, they are also often remembered for their involvement in the 1954 National Service Ordinance Incident. This paper examines how this Incident’s narratives have been portrayed by the Schools and the government over time. Firstly, it will examine the global and local factors which have affected how the Schools are perceived and how such perceptions persist even in contemporary sources. Secondly, it will make a comparison between the details found in the government and the Schools’ accounts. Finally, this paper will explore the historiographical processes underlying both sets of materials, and how both the government and the schools negotiate the interpretation of this Incident in public history domains.