Saturday, 25 June 2011

WHEN AND HOW DID IT HAPPEN?


The Anti-NS Riot happened in 1954, 13th May. In 1954, the government introduced National Service which required all males aged between 18 and 20 to register for part time military service. Offenders who were unable to register would be jailed or fined. However, national service was not popular with the secondary students from chinese schools. The influenced communists in Chinese schools stirred up an anti-British feeling amongst the students. The students were of course, unwilling to defend a foreign government which actually ignored the chinese students' interests.

On 13 May 1954, more than 1000 students gathered infront of the government house to present their petition to the goverment. Soon, the peaceful demonstration became violent when the police were called in to disperse the crowd. The police and the students clashed. About 26 people were left injured and 48 students were arrested.

In 1950, English schools took 79.8% of the budget, and Chineseschools took only 5.8%. There were 287 Chinese schools and 131English schools.The Chinese were also not allowed to go to universities in Singapore,and had to go to China for further education, until Nanyang Universitywas set up. The Chinese were also given odd jobs.

No comments:

Post a Comment