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Eugene Wijeysingha

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Singaporean educator and historian (1934–2024)

Eugene Wijeysingha
Born1934 (1934)
Negeri Sembilan, Malaya
Died2 March 2024(2024-03-02) (aged 89–90)
Singapore
Resting placeMandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex
CitizenshipSingaporean
EducationSt. Joseph's Institution
University of Malaya
Spouse Christine Faith Fernando ​ ​(m. 1960)​
ChildrenAdele Wijeyasingha
Carmen Fernando
Vincent Wijeysingha

Eugene Wijeysingha (1934 – 2 March 2024) was a Singaporean educator and historian. He served as the principal of Raffles Institution in Singapore from 1986 to 1994.

Early life

Wijeysingha was born in Negeri Sembilan, Malaya in 1934 to immigrants from Ceylon. In 1949, he and his family migrated to Singapore, where he began attending the St. Joseph's Institution. He attended the University of Malaya after taking a government bursary which required him to teach for five years after his graduation.

Career

Wijeysingha became a teacher at Raffles Institution in 1959, and taught at the school for seven years as a history teacher. His students included Goh Chok Tong, Zainul Abidin and Abdullah Tarmugi. In 1967, he became the principal of Changkat Changi Secondary School. He served as the Deputy Director for School Organisation from 1973 to 1976, the Assistant Director of Education from 1976 to 1977 and the Deputy Director of Staff and Training from 1976 to 1979. He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 1974 and the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1978. From January 1980 to November 1985, he served as the principal of Temasek Junior College.

From 1986 to 1994, Wijeysingha served as the principal of Raffles Institution, during which he played a pivotal role in leading the school to independence and coordinated the school's relocation to the Bishan campus in 1990. He retired from the position in 1994. In 1992, he was awarded the Outstanding Singapore Sinhalese Award. He served as the chairman of the Compulsory Education Board from 2003 to 2007. After retirement, Wijeysingha also published a book on the history of the school, "The Eagle breeds a Gryphon".

Personal life

Wijeysingha married Christine Faith Fernando in December 1960. He was the father of Adele Wijeyasingha, Carmen Fernando and activist and former politician Vincent Wijeysingha.

Wijeysingha died on 2 March 2024.

References

  1. ^ Nag, Abhijit (18 March 2016). Inspirations of a Nation: Tribute to 25 Singaporean South Asians. World Scientific. pp. 42–48. ISBN 9789813141070.
  2. ^ Reeves, Peter (2013). The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora. Editions Didier Millet. p. 92. ISBN 9789814260831.
  3. Koh, Hui Theng; Oh, Ming Xuan (25 June 2014). "Ex-politician Vincent Wijeysingha claims priest molested him at 15". The New Paper. Singapore. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  4. Mujibah, Fatimah (3 March 2024). "Former Raffles Institution headmaster Eugene Wijeysingha dies at 90". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
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