The Straits Times - Schools to mark Racial Harmony Day
16 July 2007
WHAT IT IS
AS PART of National Education, schools set aside one day in each year - July 21 - to commemorate Racial Harmony Day.
This year, schools will celebrate Racial Harmony Day on Friday, as July 21 happens to fall on a Saturday.
This is the day when students reflect on and celebrate Singapore's success as a harmonious nation built on a rich diversity of cultures.
The first Racial Harmony Day was celebrated on July 21, 1997, to mark the day in 1964 when racial riots broke out in Singapore.
WHY IT MATTERS
The annual occasion is to remind students of the importance and fragility of racial harmony.
According to the Ministry of Education, the event 'has proven to be effective in promoting inter-racial understanding among our students' since its inception.
In some schools, teachers take the chance to share with them the historical significance of the day, while others get students to discuss how they can do more to promote racial harmony.
Racial Harmony Day is one of four key historical events which schools commemorate.
The other three events are Total Defence Day, National Day and International Friendship Day.
