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NE Community Resource Guide

Hawker Culture as a Nation Discovery Journey (NEA)

5 October 2026

School Levels

Primary, Secondary

Discover the journey through our Food (hawkerfare), People (hawkers), and Place (hawker centres) where it serves as community dining rooms for people from diverse backgrounds to bond and interact through their shared love for food. Ultimately for the younger generations to continue visiting hawker centres with families and friends.

Details

The programme is conducted by facilitators appointed by NEA. The programme is designed to encourage students to learn, observe, reflect, and appreciate Singapore’s Hawker Culture, as an integral way of life in Singapore providing a sense of our multicultural identity and continuity for the nation over generations through urbanisation and development.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn:

HISTORY, HERITAGE AND CULTURE

Discover the evolution of our hawkers and advancement of our hawker centres.

NATIONAL EDUCATION

Inculcate community-bonding and graciousness amongst nation.

SAFEGUARDING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

  • Sustain and safeguard the hawker culture.

  • Learn about our unique food culture, hawker trade and culinary practices.

  • Create vibrancy in our hawker centres and appreciate them as community dining rooms.

Target Audience: Primary 1- 6 students, Secondary 1 - 5 students

Runtime: All year round

Fee: Complimentary

Modality: In-person

Duration of Session: 1.5-2 hours

Capacity: Minimum: 20 students

Relevant Commemorative Days: National Day

How to register? By email.

Due Date for registration: 6 weeks prior the selected date of the discovery journey programme, subject to NEA's approval.

Contact: sghawkerculture@nea.gov.sg

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Tiong Bahru Market opened in 1951 as Seng Poh Road Market. The old market functioned like a town centre for public meetings and political rallies.

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Geylang Serai Market was opened in 1964 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and rebuilt in 2009 at it's present premise. The stunning architecture is inspired by the Malay community's cultural.