TOTAL DEFENSE 2015

Total Defence Day is celebrated annually on February 15th in Singapore to commemorate the anniversary of the surrender of the British to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. This year’s theme is for Total Defence is, ‘Our Singapore Air Force giving strength to our nations’.

Total Defence involves everyone playing a part, individually and collectively, to build a strong, secure and cohesive nation that is prepared and able to deal with any crisis. It also serves to remind us that Singapore is defensible and is worth defending and that we must defend Singapore. This year is an important year as it marks Singapore’s 50th year of independence. Total Defence consists of 5 pillars that include Psychological Defence, Social Defence, Economy Defence, Civil Defence as well as Military Defence.

Psychological Defence refers to each person’s commitment and confidence in the nation’s future.

Social Defence is about the harmony of people living in Singapore and working together as well as spending time on the interests of the nation and community.

Economic Defence is maintaining the economy of the country and also involves helping Singapore to stay relevant in the global economy as well as ensuring that Singapore economy does not collapse in times of crisis.

Civil Defence is to ensure the safety and the basic needs of the whole community in times of emergency so that life may go on as normally as possible.

Military Defence is having a Singapore Air Force able to deter aggression. A first-class Singapore Air Force – one that has the capability to act effectively and decisively should deterrence and diplomacy fail – is essential to building a strong Military Defence.

This year, in Evergreen Secondary School, we celebrated Total Defence in a unique way where the secondary ones had a Woodlands Trail and there was classroom based-activities for individual levels.

Pupils from each secondary one classes were required to go on a learning journey around the significant places of Woodlands. This includes Marsiling Wet Market, Marsiling Community Centre, Woodlands Train Checkpoint, Woodlands Waterfront and Woodlands Central. The facilitators explained many interesting facts about the different places we visited. Of which, they had explained the Japanese bombing of the causeway as well as the importance of having a causeway link.

As for the classroom-based activities for individual levels, the secondary ones had to take up a role as a political party. In groups of 4, they were given a sum of 20 million dollars and they were required to craft a national budget. At the end of the session, the class needed to vote for the best budget to be adopted by the class. This stimulate how a country collaborate to solve the post selection crisis using the selected budget.

Meanwhile, the secondary two pupils were to understand the difficulties faced during the post war period where Total Defence was absent. After that, they had to explain how the occurrence of these events can highlight the importance of the different pillars of Total Defence in the defence of Singapore as well as how individuals can play a part in nation’s Total Defence.

For the secondary three and four express classes, pupils were required to understand the purpose of Total Defence. They had to understand the role every individual can play in it, as well as to give suggestions on how Singaporeans can contribute actively to the 5 areas of Total Defence. After that, they were supposed to brainstorm on examples of strength for each pillar of Total Defence, as well as current and future challenges.

The secondary 4 and 5 normal academic classes were required to be able to understand that Singapore Air Force is an indispensable element in the defence of our nation, and that every individual has a part to play in Total Defence.

It was a good experience going on the trail. The facilitators were very fun and I had learnt a lot of information on the history of Singapore. The classroom lesson had taught me more about our country as well.