S'pore went through Smart Nation-like drive in 1980s to make S'poreans computer-literate

Times have changed but the drive remains.

Tanya Ong | September 13, 2017, 03:47 PM

Singapore is making a push towards becoming a Smart Nation, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a call for it during this year's National Day Rally.

And in case you didn't know, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding this ever since, with some for it while others are cautious.

But it seems that this initiative is not entirely new. According to Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary, the Digital Revolution taking place today can be compared to the Computer Revolution that took place in the 1980s.

Back then, there was a drive for Singaporeans to be introduced to computers and for them to be equipped with computer literacy skills. It was something like a 1980s version of Smart Nation and SkillsFuture.

The wonders of the computer

Given the modern desktop and laptop models we see today, we probably cannot help but snigger at the computers from the 1980s. Check these antiques them out:

Photo from NAS

Despite these computers looking like microwaves, however, they were already powerful tools for improving administrative processes. Information Technology (IT) could increase productivity by automating back-office work and reducing paperwork.

And as you already know, the government loves productivity. They recognised the potential of the IT industry and how it could help Singapore keep up with rapid economic developments.

The National Computer Board (present day GovTech) was set up in 1981 to get things booted up. Its task was to computerise the Civil Service, coordinate computer education and training, as well as develop the computer services industry.

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Starting with civil servants

Photo via Singapore Memory Project

That same year, the Civil Service Computerisation Programme was launched to encourage the adoption of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the government sector. With ICT, the nature and delivery of public services in Singapore could be radically transformed.

But to cope with all these changes, civil servants had to first be equipped with the necessary skills.

From the 1980s to the 1990s, the Public Service framed training as necessary to keep up with Singapore's growth. One of the key skills was of course, learning to use computers.

At that time, many supervisors were still reluctant to let their staff attend training because it was perceived as a distraction from daily work. However, cultural shifts have taken place over the years and training is now seen as essential.

Groundbreaking systems

By the 1990s, many important systems were adopted to improve productivity. For instance, Tradenet was introduced in 1989. It was a platform for submitting and processing trade and shipping documents, which reduced processing time from two days to just 15 minutes.

Some systems also made government transactions more convenient. For instance, OSCARS (One-stop Change of Address Reporting System) allowed members of the public to conveniently update government agencies and statutory boards of any changes in their residential address.

Clearly, the 1980s was an important time for Singapore's IT industry. Willingness to accept ICT and mastery of computer skills proved to be crucial to get to where we are today.

However, it wasn't just the government sector. People also equipped themselves with computer skills, including students.

Photo from NAS

Marine Parade Community Centre was also the first to have a computer club. They held their first computer course in 1980:

Photo from NAS

Like the Smart Nation drive today, the changes back then seemed unfamiliar, chaotic, and challenging, but acceptance and mastery of it brought Singapore to where it is today. Perhaps, someday we will will look back at the present Smart Nation drive with the same hindsight.

 

Top photo adapted from NAS and Greatdeals.

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