Singapore: many races but one peopleTeachers’ reference
(8) Singapore: A country with ‘many races but one people’
Enquiry
question
Content
Is Singapore a country with ‘many races but one people’?
Related to the History curriculum (S4-6)
Related to civic and national education
Learning
Objectives
Knowledge: 

Skills:





Attitude:

The multi-racial and multi-cultural aspects of Singapore
The multi-cultural aspect of the HK society
To share personal experiences and opinions
To identify main features
To develop sources study skills
To analyse data
To infer and reflect
To encourage understanding, respect and tolerance to different
cultures
 To encourage curiosity about counter arguments
Teaching flow:
Teachers may select or modify the activities in this teaching plan so as to suit the learning needs of
their students.
Items
Format
Learning Objectives
Content
A
Introduction
 Experience
sharing in class
 To arouse interest
 To activate prior knowledge
B
Activity 1
C
Activity 2
 Watch the
documentary
 Data-analysis
D
Activity 3
 Source study
E
Activity 4
G
Extended
Activity
 Arguments and
counterarguments
 Forum and
survey
 To understand the cultural
characteristics of Singapore
 To identify features of
multiculturalism in
Singapore
 To identify features of
 Religious
multiculturalism in
toleration
Singapore
 To reflect in Hong Kong
context
 To conclude the enquiry
 Multiculturalism in
Singapore
 To motivate students to look
for counter arguments
 To reflect in Hong Kong
 The ethnic
context
minorities groups
in Hong Kong
 To find out students’
knowledge of the ethnic
minorities groups in Hong
Kong and attitude
1
 Share experiences
of knowledge
about Singapore
 Documentary Ch.
4-5
 Poster
Singapore: many races but one people
A. Introduction
Teacher invites students to share what they know about Singapore.
B.
Activity 1: Watch the documentary – the multi-cultural aspect of Singapore
Step 1


Watch the documentary Chapter 4 and 5.
Remind students to pay more attention to the cultural characteristics of Singapore,
and jot down keywords about this aspect.
Step 2

After watching the documentary Chapter 4 and 5, invite students to share their
impression of Singaporean cultures.
Do you
know?
In Singapore, multiracialism is written into the Constitution in the very founding moment
of the country in 1965. The Constitution declares that Singapore is a multi-racial country
with equality among the three primary races – the Chinese, Malays and Indians. Since
then, multi-racialism has been taken as the core rationale for many public policies.
C. Activity 2: Data Analysis – poster
The poster given below is designed by a student studying in Singapore.
Study the poster (Source A) and answer questions (a) – (c).
Question
a) What is the theme of the poster?
b) What is the attitude of the designer towards
his/her country? Support your answer with
clues from the poster.
c) Give examples to reflect the multidimension of cultures in Singapore. You
may find hints from the poster.
Suggested answer









2
To show the students’ love of Singapore ;
Singapore is a multi-cultural society;
Positive and passionate
Clues: heart-shape; people of different
races are staying together happily
Food culture
Festivals
Languages
Races
Any sensible answers.
Singapore: many races but one people
Source A
The poster given below is designed by a student studying in Singapore.
Live Our Dreams
Fly Our Flag
Vibrant &
diverse cultural
heritage
Multifarious
offering of
food
Multi-religious
society
Cultural diversity
and lifestyles
Multi-racial
society
Coexistence of
different
customs, beliefs
and festivals
3
Fusion of
cultures
Harmony
and
cohesive
Mish-mash of
cultures
Singapore: many races but one people
D.
Activity 3: Source study
Source B
The following is an extract of a letter written by a teenager to her friend in Hong Kong.
Dear Yan Yan,
You told me that you are doing a research study about Singapore. I hope the following
information may help you.
Singapore is a multi-ethnic country. The major ethnic groups include Malay, Chinese and
Indian. It is very easy to see them interacting with each other in public places. Since there are
different cultures in the society of Singapore, it is very important for us to live harmoniously.
We try to avoid racial conflicts by respecting each other's culture.
In schools, we are required to learn English and our mother tongue so that we can
communicate with other ethnic groups using English and not losing touch with our own native
culture. ‘Singlish’ is widely used by Singaporeans in daily lives. It is a mixture of English with
Malay and Chinese words. It is different from British or American English. Therefore, when I
talk to new friends from Hong Kong in English, we usually have to take some time to adjust to
each other’s choice of words and accent.
By the way, …
Source C
FESTIVALS OF SINGAPORE
Every ethnic group in Singapore has its own festivals, mostly related to its religion. Singaporeans
respect and celebrate one another's festivals with great enjoyment.
Date
Public Holiday
Saturday, 1 January 2011
New Year's Day (European festival)
Thursday & Friday, 3-4 February 2011
Chinese New Year (Chinese festival)
Friday, 22 April 2011
Good Friday (Christian festival)
Sunday*, 1 May 2011
Labour Day
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Vesak Day (Buddhist festival)
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
National Day
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Hari Raya Puasa (Muslim festival)
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Deepavali (Hindus and Sikhs festival)
Sunday*, 6 November 2011
Hari Raya Haji (Muslim festival)
Sunday*, 25 December 2011
Christmas Day (Christian festival)
* The following Monday will be a public holiday
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Singapore: many races but one people
Source D
Different temples in Singapore
A Christian church
A Hindu temple in ‘Little India’
A Buddhist temple
A Muslim temple
Study Sources B, C and D, and then answer questions (a) – (c).
a) Refer to Source B. Give 4 examples of languages which are often heard in Singapore.
Malay, Chinese, Tamil (Indian) and Singlish.
b) Do you agree that Singapore is a country with religious tolerance? Elaborate your answer
with Sources C and D.

Yes.

Public holidays shown in Source C include festivals of the major ethnic groups in
Singapore.
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Singapore: many races but one people

Source D: different major ethnic groups are allowed to build their own temples
to worship their gods.
c) Do you agree that Hong Kong is also a city with religious tolerance as much as
Singapore? Elaborate your answer with Sources C and D, your answer in (b) and your
own knowledge. Give evidence to support your answer.
Note

Yes, when temples are considered. Followers of different major religions in HK
are allowed to build their own temples to worship their gods. E.g. Taoist temples
and Christian churches are found in various districts. There are also Muslim
temples in Tsimshatsui and Wanchai, and Indian temples in Wanchai etc.

No, when public holidays are considered. Singapore has stronger religious
tolerance. Public holidays in HK reflect mainly influence of Chinese and
western cultures.

When students answer question (c), they may say that when public holiday is
considered, HK is less religious tolerant. Teachers are suggested to point out that
the Chinese ethnic group composes more than 90% of the total population in Hong
Kong while there is no dominate ethnic group in Singapore. In the past, the nonChinese and non-western ethnic groups have little influence in Hong Kong.

If time allows, teacher may follow up question (c). Teacher may ask students to
discuss whether it is necessary to include festivals of the Muslims and Indians into
the public holiday list of Hong Kong nowadays. Any sensible answer that fits the
Hong Kong context should be accepted.
Source E
Below is a pamphlet promoting a tour organised by a community centre in Singapore.
Study the details and then answer questions (d) – (f).
Join our tour for a better understanding of Singapore’s cultural heritage
among participants of different races.
Date: 27 March 2011
Time: 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Gather at Haromony Community Centre
Fee: $4.00
Places to visit: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sago Lane, Asian Civilisation
Museum, Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple and The Little India
Arcade & Bishan Harmony Centre
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Singapore: many races but one people
d) What do you think will be the aim of the tour promoted in Source E?
Any one:



e)
For a better understanding of Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage among
participants of different races.
To sustain and promote multiculturalism
Any other sensible answer
What do the name of the tour and the choice of visiting places reflect?


The name of the tour reflects that the community centre encourages harmony
in the society,
The choice of the visiting places reflects that the community centre also
encourages understanding of different races, cultures and religions in
Singapore.
f)
If you were a Singaporean, do you find the tour attractive? Why?

Free answer.

Students should support their standpoints with elaboration and evidence.
E.
Activity 4: Arguments and counter arguments
Enquiries:
Question 1
From what you have studied from above, can you conclude that Singapore is a
country of ‘many races but one people’? With reference to all information above,
give evidence to support your answer.
(To save time, it will be enough to make a mind map/outline to answer this essay
question.)
Suggested
answer
Yes, it is.
Aspect
Evidence
Language
Religion
Food
Festival
Question 2
What government policies make Singapore a country of ‘many races but one
people’?
Suggested
answer


The Government continues to emphasize common values that build
common Singapore identity, e.g. multiculturalism.
The government allows people freedom to preserve and express their own
cultural heritage, traditions and religious beliefs.
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Singapore: many races but one people


Successful national/civic education.
All ethnic groups have equal opportunities to share the results of
modernisation and various national resources, such as employment and
housing.
 The language policy united all Singaporeans in one official language,
Singlish. On the other hand, peoples’ native languages are respected and
preserved.
Question 3
Suggested
answer
Is there any relation between ethnic harmony and modernisation in Singapore?
 Ethnic harmony gives Singaporeans sense of unity, security and peace.
The people and the government can unite and concentrate their efforts
and resources in modernisation.
 Social harmony and political stability attract foreign investment.
Do you Learning from making conclusion and reflecting conclusion
know? In general, History students in secondary schools study history through the conventional
views of historians. However, there are counter arguments presented by historians who
have different or new discoveries about the target research areas. Those counter
arguments inspire historians to rethink the widely accepted interpretations. Some of those
counter-arguments may become majority views later when substantial supportive
evidences are identified. That is to say, counter arguments help to develop critical
thinking and deeper understanding of history.
Question 4
What would you ask to challenge the statement, “Singapore is a country of many races
but one people”?
Note


This is a brain storming exercise. Teachers are suggested to give students
freedom to think creatively.
To conclude this brain storming exercise, teachers are suggested to remind
students that what they have said are creative ideas without the support of
evidence. Their ideas may become valid statement when they are supported by
substantial evidence.
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Singapore: many races but one people
F.
Extended learning: forum and survey
Is Hong Kong a multi-cultural society similar to Singapore? Support your answer with
evidence.
Question
Suggested
answer
Simple
survey
Question 1
Yes/No
Free elaboration; any sensible answers.
What knowledge and attitude do students have toward the minor ethnic groups in
Hong Kong?
In addition to Chinese, what other ethnic groups live in Hong Kong? Give a few
examples. Do they have the right to vote?
 Europeans, Americans, Filipinos, Indonesians, Japanese, Koreans etc.
 If they live in Hong Kong for 7 years and become a citizen, they will
have the right to vote. Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are
exceptions.
Question 2
Do you support multiculturalism in Hong Kong? Answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the
following statements to find out your attitude.
(Refer to statements given underneath.)
1)
Hong Kong Chinese always tolerate and respect the ethnic minorities and their customs.
2)
The ethnic minorities in HK have made contributions in making the city a better place to live.
3)
Most of the Hong Kong Chinese are familiar with the daily life and customs of the ethnic minorities
in HK.
4)
I think Hong Kong Chinese are giving greater attention and care to the ethnic minorities.
5)
I am interested in knowing more about the non-Chinese in Hong Kong.
6)
I welcome children of all ethnic groups to join my school.
7)
I welcome all other ethnic groups to live in my district/housing estate.
8)
I am not aware of anti-feelings against the ethnic minorities.
9)
I understand the needs and interests of the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.
10)
I am willing to make friends with them.
Put  (Yes) or  (No) into the boxes below.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
* One mark to each positive answer. Higher scores reflect a more positive attitude.
Note
10
Data collected in this task may be useful for organizing activities related to Moral and
Civic Education, pastoral care and “Other Learning Experience”.
End
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