Did you know Singapore’s first school was Raffles Institution, founded in 1823 by Sir Stamford Raffles? Originally named Singapore Institution, it was set up to educate the children of local elites and traders, right where Raffles City stands today! Over time, RI became the cradle of top talent, with the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew among its alumni. It also played a big role in advancing girls’ education. In 1844, it opened its doors to female students, and by 1879, that section grew into a whole new school, Raffles Girls’ School. So yeah, RI isn’t just a school. It’s a cornerstone of Singapore’s history.