Holy Innocent’s High School Celebrates 128th year of Total Defence Day in school

By Hannah, 8 February 2020

It’s Total Defence Day! Once again our school will be watching all the uniform groups marching in the parade. Total Defence Day is celebrated on 15th February every year.

According to Hui Ning from 2 Love -:” Total Defence Day is to commemorate the day of Singapore’s fall to the Japanese. It is also to remind people, the sufferings our fore fathers that they have endured during the Japanese Occupation.” Total Defence Day is marked annually on 15th February in Singapore to commemorate the anniversary of the surrender of the British to the Japanese on 15th February 1942 precursoring 3 years and 8 months of Japanese Occupation.

There are 5 pillars of Total Defence which includes-:

1. Military Defence-: They keep Singapore safe and secure at all times.
2. Civil Defence-: They take care of everyone in the country in times of crisis.
3. Economic Defence-: Government helps to keep the economy strong and resilient to keep the nation strong.
4. Social Defence-: They help us to live in harmony with multi- racial environment.
5. Psychological Defence-: They guide us and enable to be resilient in all situations.

Every year, our school Celebrates Total Defence Day in which all the uniform groups would be marching in the parade square starting from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. This event is organised by the teachers, student leaders and uniform groups.

When the uniform groups were marching, you could see the pride on their faces. They were proud to be called ‘Singaporeans’, who in the future might secure our nation from all threats. ” I enjoy watching this event every year because, it explains us the five pillars of Total Defence such as Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological Defence,” Jordan Lim from 2 Love exclaimed. Half of my class which is 2 Love are in uniform groups such as National Cadet Corps (NCC), Scouts, National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) and ST’JOHN BRIGADE. Looking at my class taking part in Total Defence Day parade in the school, I feel proud to be in my class and most of us being a Singaporean.

“We should never take our defence, whether be it Psychological, Social or Military for granted. This is for safeguarding our country’s sovereignty and racial and religious harmony. In addition, students from a young age should be inspired and join uniform groups, so that they would be prepared for life to build our nation.” said by Mr Singh from 2 Love form teacher.

Reported by,

Hannah Michael Rajan

2 Love

8 February 2020