ACS Anti-Snob Drive

The first day of March is Founder's Day for Anglo-Chinese School. On the Founders Day Dinner in 1980, Dr Tony Tan, who was then-Senior of State for Education, gave a speech in which he expressed concerns about the school's reputation for snobbery. He said that as a Christian institution, it would be remiss of ACS not to correct such undesirable attitudes. "But if all that ACS does is to prepare pupils to be rich doctors, lawyers, bankers, or businessmen, then ACS would have failed in its mission." 

These were rather strong words to be said at a school dinner and on 4 March 1980, the Straits Times published a rebuttal from ACS student representatives who complained that snobbery also existed in other schools, so why pick on ACS?

On 23 June 1980, ACS students were issued 13 rules to snuff out snobbery. These rules, which would come into effect on 7 July 1980, banned briefcases, expensive wristwatches, tinted spectacles (unless prescribed by a doctor), jewelry or other decorative items and expensive writing instruments. Secondary school and junior college students were not allowed to carry more than $5 during school hours. The limit for primary school students was $2. ACS students were not allowed to drive cars, motorcycles and racing bikes into schools. 

Cameras, radios, tape-recorders and electronic games were banned from schools unless special permission was given. Students had to sport "regulation" uniforms and haircuts.  ACS students also had to take part in community service projects. Students who violated these rules could be suspended or even dismissed.

These rules were met with resistance. At a meeting on 24 June 1980, a group of student representatives had a series of questions about the logic and effectiveness of the rules. There were also parents who were critical of the 13 rules.  A spokesman for the school's board of directors publicly expressed regret for the negative reactions of some parents. 

On 10 July 1980, the Straits Times published an article in which First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee defended the use of "coercion" on ACS. Goh said that the rules were sensible and even said that he would invite the dissenting parents to a "friendly discussion" where "I'll convince them of the error of their ways." A day later, no parent took up the offer to meet.  On 19 July 1980, it was officially declared that the anti-snob campaign had ended on a positive note. 

Three months later, it was announced that the traditional final year dinner for ACS students which was usually held at the air-conditioned ballroom of a leading hotel, would be cancelled. Instead, the boys would have a typical Chinese tea where 10 would be seated per table.

Elitism and social inequality are problems that every generation will have to deal with. The ACS Anti-Snob Drive of 1980 was an attempt by Singapore's government to a curb a mentality which it felt would have adverse effects on Singapore's social cohesion.

The campaign was seen as draconian even by the standards of 1980 and it was possible because the government of that era had the political capital and will to use such muscular tactics. It would be highly unlikely for today's government to openly declare it is going to use coercion instead of persuasion. 



Lee Yue Heng (10/01/2025)