Survey of English language textbook publishing in Singapore

Abstract

English language textbook publishing in Singapore began after imported textbooks from British publishing houses were deemed to be unsuitable for local curriculum. Attempts were then made to modify or adapt textbooks written overseas by publishers like Oxford University Press (OUP) and Longman. It was not until the late fifties that indigenous book publishing houses began to set up to originate, edit and publish textbooks for the local market. Notable local publishers that are still in business, and have significant market share, are Federal Publications (started by the Straits Times Press in 1957), Educational Publications Bureau (EPB), (established by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in 1967), and Pan Pacific (set up as a bookseller in 1971 and went into textbook publishing in 1975).