When the Singapore Gujarati School started functioning in 1947, there were fewer than 15 students. Today, 65 years later, the school holds mother tongue lessons for 150 students, from KG2 to A levels, in Gujarati.
Around 500 people turned up on July 21 at the Dunman High School for the 65th anniversary celebrations of the school. Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education, Indranee Rajah, was the guest of honour. In her speech, she said the Singapore Gujarati community, despite being small in size, has been in Singapore for more than a hundred years and is well-integrated into society.
She noted that the results of the Gujarati community's efforts over the years are commendable.
"Its students have performed well in the Gujarati language at the national examinations. The Gujarati language and culture have also been kept alive and very much imbued in its youths and community," she said.
The minister presented awards to students who had done well in their exams.
Principal of the school Mita Shah, who was a student of the school, in her address traced the growth of the school over the years.
She said the school in its early years functioned at Waterloo Street. In between, it moved to Race Course Road. "For the next 40 years, it operated at a bungalow in Goodman Road. In 2008, we moved to our current premises in Joo Chiat Road. This present building houses an administrative office and a large hall for classes and other activities," she added.
The theme of the anniversary celebrations was Dances of Gujarat and the students put up several colourful Gujarati folk dances.
Get a copy of tabla! for more stories.