page_title: Catholic education in Singapore
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Catholic education in Singapore / History
caption_attribution_description: English: A memorial plaque to Father Jean-Marie Beurel in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore.
context_page_description: The Catholic Church in Singapore has been extensively involved in the provision of education in Singapore. From the 19th century, the Catholic education system has grown to be the second biggest sector after government schools in Singapore, with more than 65 000 students. The Catholic Church has established kindergarten, primary, secondary and junior colleges educational institutions in Singapore.
context_section_description: Roman Catholicism in Singapore has its roots from the Portuguese established Diocese of Malacca soon after Affonso de Albuquerque's conquest of Malacca in 1511. It is believed that there had been Portuguese missionaries operating out of Malacca in Singapore during the Portuguese period, 1511–1641, prior to the British conquest. Within a time span of several years, notable Catholic churches, such as the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, were built. Missionary schools, notably Saint Joseph's Institution, were established and attended by Roman Catholics and non-Catholics (many of whom became converts).
  Saint John's Institution (now known as Saint Joseph's Institution), was founded in 1852 as an all-boys Catholic school and is the first missionary establishment of the La Salle Brothers in Asia. The endeavour was initiated by Rev Fr Jean-Marie Beurel MEP, who offered six Brothers from Europe to start the school using a former chapel as premises. The school was known as St John's, but on 19 March 1855 (Feast of Saint Joseph), the cornerstone of a new school building was laid. From that date, the school has been known as Saint Joseph's Institution. The new central classroom block was completed in 1865, though further expansion of the facilities continued well into the 20th Century. The school had 426 students in 1900. This grew to almost 1200 in 1914, and 1600 in 1922. With the student population expanding, a temporary branch school was opened, which eventually led to the building of a second school – Saint Patrick's School, Singapore – in 1933. During the Japanese Occupation, the school was renamed to Bras Basah Road Boy's School. The Brothers were soon asked to 'resign'. The school and hostel were run along military lines. However, 3 weeks after the Japanese surrender, the Brothers returned and St Joseph's was re-opened and normal lessons resumed.
  Noting the absence of an all-rounded Catholic education for girls, three French and an Irish sister led by Mother St Mathilde Raclot established the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in 1854 at the corner of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Street (presently CHIJMES). Classes started at the school for fee paying students and orphans. The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus was the second Catholic school and first all-girls Catholic school to be established in Singapore. Soon the number of pupils increased and the school became well-known. In 1894, there were 167 pupils. Ten years later, the enrolment had increased to 300. Secondary education began in 1905. Under Mother Hombeline, the expansion programme continued.
  Under the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, seven institutions serving the youth of Singapore were founded, St. Gabriel's Secondary School, St. Gabriel's Primary School, Montfort Secondary School, Monfort Junior School, Assumption English School, Assumption Pathway School, and Boys Town. Much of the progress of the seven institutions can be attributed to the late Bro. Emmanuel, born Pierre Gaudette, who was dedicated to developing the institutions to give a quality of education that is unparalleled.
  In a span of less than 100 years, more than 57 educational institutes from kindergarten to junior colleges were established in Singapore by Catholic missionaries from the La Salle Brothers, Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus, Marist Brothers, and the Canossians.
caption: Memorial plaque to Father Jean-Marie Beurel who initiated the establishment of Catholic schools in Singapore
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