SLICE OF TIME Tear gas stopped my lesson CLASH: In 1966, Ngee Ann College students protesting against a proposed reorganisation of their institution Retired NUS lecturer Dr Tan Kok Phuang tells YONG SHU HOONG about the days when politics and studies made an explosive mix EVEN before the red buses of the riot police came, I knew that something was up. I was then teaching Applied Maths to about 50 third-year university students, but only half of them turned up for lessons. In fact, over the past two or three weeks, many students had been boycotting classes to listen to speeches given by student leaders. In the mid-'60s, Nanyang University (now the Nanyang Technological University) was a stomping ground for pro-communist student leaders. They agitated against the proposed reorganisation of the university, and alleged that the government was out to destroy Chinese education. Such protests were dangerous because they stirred up racial sentiments. The riot police broke up the protests decisively. In a few instances, tear gas was used. The lecture halls were not air-conditioned then, and the gas entered through the open windows. Tears came to my eyes and I had to stop my lesson. IN the 1950s and 1960s, students protested against a law passed by the colonial government in 1953. It required males between the ages of 18 and 20 to register for part-time National Service. PROTEST: Unhappiness over a new examination system introduced in 1961 led to picketing by middle school students. Where are they now? SEVERAL bright students who got caught up in the politics of the day never finished their studies here. Former lecturer Dr Tan Kok Phuang, 63, remembers some of the student agitators who were expelled from Nanyang University during the mid-'60s. "It was a pity, because a lot of the student leaders had very good grades." Some of his classmates were also expelled when he was studying in the Catholic High School in the 1950s. "Sadly, one friend whom I played badminton with was expelled. I never heard from him again," said Dr Tan. Many middle school students (the equivalent of secondary and junior college students today) from schools like Chinese High and Chung Cheng High were actively involved in politics. DR TAN KOK PHUANG (above): In his student days. Prudential Time Line Who is this woman in Prudential's logo? She looked different (above) when she was born in 1848. But Prudence, a Greek-Roman figure known for caution ad wisdom, got a facelift in 1986 (below). -- The New Paper, Aug 11, 1998 Next Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.