Bukit Batok
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Bukit Batok is a neighbourhood in the western part of the city-state of Singapore. The Bukit Batok Planning Area, located in the West Region, encompasses the Housing Development Board's housing estate of Bukit Batok New Town.
Etymology
There are many different versions for the origins of the Malay place name Bukit Batok. Bukit means "hill" in Malay, thus the name of the town gives the impression of it being hilly. Batok, however, has several interpretations.One version has it that according to a Javanese village chief in the tiny village of Gassing, coconut trees grew on the hills in the area and hence the name batok, the Javanese term for coconuts.
The Chinese interpretation is that the hills were of solid granite and hence called batu, the Malay name for "stone", which was corrupted to bato and finally batok. Another version argues that the hill resembles a skull top and batok could also be construed to mean "skull top".
Others felt that the cold air in the area, which led to coughs and colds, conferred on the place the name batok, the Malay term for cough. This could also be a reminder of the days when the area had a large granite quarry at Little Guilin; coughing refers to the sounds of the explosives used.
A more ribald explanation has it that the two hills in the area looked like green buttocks to the British, a word which suffered verbal mutilation among the Chinese to finally emerge as batok.
Amenities
Today, much of the hills has been flattened to make way for roads and flats to suit the needs of the population. The streets and roads are lined with trees just as other neighbourhoods, and this feature has enabled Singapore to be known as the "Garden City".The above-ground Bukit Batok Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train station (NS2) is situated at Bukit Batok Central. The condominium The Jade as well as the 5-storey shopping complex West Mall are next to the train station.
There is a polyclinic run by the National Healthcare Group. Bukit Batok is also known for its Driving Centre where courses are conducted for motorcycle riders and car drivers. Almost the entire Bukit Batok neighbourhood is used as a training circuit for these learner riders and drivers, along with part of Teck Whye neighbourhood in Choa Chu Kang.
Bukit Batok is currently the site of a Japanese War Memorial.
Trivia
Singapore Idol winner, Taufik Batisah, is currently residing in Bukit Batok with his mother and brother.Education
Full article: Education in Bukit BatokThere are several institutions for education in Bukit Batok, Singapore:
- Primary schools
- *[Bukit View Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Mdm. Jenny S. G. Law.
- *[Dazhong Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Mr. Stephen Lu Peng Hoong.
- *[Hong Kah Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Ms. Shanti D/O Govindan.
- *[Keming Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Mr. Michel Saw Mung Seong.
- *[Lianhua Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Ms. Cecilia Ng.
- *[Princess Elizabeth Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Mrs. Mary Ngiam Siew Wah.
- *[St. Anthony's Primary School] is a government primary school. The current principal is Mr. Thomas Koh Kian Seng.
- Secondary schools
- *[Bukit Batok Secondary School] is a government secondary school The current principal is Mdm Lee Lee Sia Rosa.
- *[Bukit View Secondary School] is a government secondary school. The current principal is Mdm Tan Lay Hong.
- *Dunearn Secondary School
- *[Hillgrove Secondary School] is a government secondary school. The current principal is Mrs. Yeow Lee Lin.
- *Swiss Cottage Secondary School
- *[Yusof Ishak Secondary School] is a government secondary school. The school is named after Singapore's first president, Inche Yusuf bin Ishak. The current principal is Mr Richard Chew.
- High school
- *Millennia Institute, new campus at Bukit Batok West Avenue 3, currently under construction as of March 2006.
- Higher educational institutions
- *ITE West Bukit Batok
- *Singapore International Hotel and Tourism Education Centre (SHATEC)
Reference
- Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 9812102051
External links
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