LASALLIAN EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE: A BRIEF HISTORY
Lasallian Education Beginning
Lasallian education started because of Father Jean-Marie Beurel, a French missionary in Singapore. He left France and arrived in Singapore on 27 October 1839 to work in the Mission of Siam, which included Singapore. His arrival marked the beginning of Lasallian and Catholic education in Singapore.
Bringing the Lasallian Education to Singapore
Father Beurel believed that education was essential for implanting a truly Christian faith in the hearts of children. In January 1849, he wrote a letter to Father Albrand, Director of the Seminary of Foreign Missions in Paris, requesting the De La Salle Brothers’ assistance in establishing schools in Singapore. To further his mission, Father Beurel travelled to France on 28 October 1850 to engage in discussions to bring the De La Salle Brothers to Singapore to begin a school for boys. During his time in France, Father Beurel also successfully convinced the Reverend Mother Superior General of the Infant Jesus Sisters, Mother de Faudoas, to send some sisters to Singapore to begin a school for girls.
Arrival of the De La Salle Brothers
On his return to Singapore on 29 March 1852, Father Beurel brought along an initial team of six De La Salle Brothers and four Infant Jesus Sisters. The Brothers travelled to Singapore on the ship La Julie. This pioneering group consisted of six Brothers: Brother Lothaire Combes, Brother Venere Chapuis, Brother Gregory Connolly, Brother Switbert Doyle, Brother Jerome King and Brother Liefroy Bajon. The Brothers came to Singapore to address the educational needs of the poor and marginalised children.
Establishment of St. Joseph’s Institution
Upon their arrival, Brothers Liefroy, Switbert and Gregory stayed in Singapore, with the support of Father Beurel, to establish St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI) on 22 July 1852. The school was initially set up in a former chapel on Bras Basah Road, which quickly became inadequate due to the growing number of students. An attap hut was erected to accommodate the overflow, and by 1855, the cornerstone for a new building was laid. The other three remaining Brothers continued to Penang, Malaysia, to start the Lasallian mission.
Expansion and Development
Over the years, SJI expanded significantly under the guidance of various Brothers. Brother Lothaire Combes played a crucial role in the early development of the school. At the same time, Brother Michael Noctor and Reverend Father Charles Nain contributed to the architectural expansion before World War I. The school continued to grow, and by 1914, the enrollment had reached nearly 1,200 students. From Singapore, the Brothers expanded Lasallian education into Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Lasallian Education Today
Today, the Lasallian mission in Singapore comprises 7 Lasallian schools and 4 Lasallian institutions. One of the Lasallian schools, SJI International School comprises three schools, namely, the High School, Elementary School and Preschool. SJI International is the only privately funded school that does not receive Government funding for its operation. The figure below provides a chronological establishment of the Lasallian mission in Singapore.
REFERENCES
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Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD): Singapore
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St. Joseph’s Institution: The SJI Milestones
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Brown, Francis (1997). La Salle Brothers, Malaya & Singapore,1852-1952. Lasallian Publications.
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Tan, Rachel (Ed.). (2021). From Outpost to Church (1821-2021). Singapore: The Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore, Chapter 3 – A Catholic Education.