The Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre (UPTLC) will be moving to a new home at Jalan Besar in January 2027, following the expiry of its current tenancy at Beatty Road in December 2026.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on 23rd August that the centre will relocate to the former Stamford Primary site at 1 Victoria Lane. It will share the premises with an ‘appropriate user’, which will be identified at a later stage.
A cultural landmark since 1982
UPTLC, which currently operates at 2 Beatty Road, has been a significant institution in Singapore’s Indian community since 1982, when it was first known as the St George’s Road Tamil Language Centre. Apart from a short temporary relocation between 2009 and 2011 for building works, it has remained at Beatty Road for over four decades.
The centre offers Tamil language at G1,G2, G3 levels, Higher Tamil and Tamil literature for secondary school students. It also serves as the National Tamil Language Resource Centre, partnering with the community to strengthen the teaching and learning of Tamil nationwide.
Larger facilities, modern classrooms
MOE said the move will give students access to bigger learning spaces and upgraded facilities. The new campus will include larger classrooms, a sheltered court that can be used for sports such as Kabaddi, and improved public transport accessibility. Located near Bugis and Jalan Besar MRT stations, the site is well-served by bus routes.
The premises were vacated last year when Stamford Primary merged with Farrer Park Primary School.
A step forward and upwards
Speaking at UPTLC’s 48th annual speech and prize presentation ceremony, Minister of State for Culture, Community, and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash called the move an important milestone.
“For generations, UPTLC at Beatty has been far more than just an address – it has been a cultural icon and a heartbeat of our community. And while we bid farewell to our beloved home, let me assure you that this move will not be a step backwards but indeed a step forward and a step upwards for our community.”
He added that the new site’s proximity to the Indian Heritage Centre and the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association will strengthen partnership, while its larger classrooms will allow for more hands-on and tech-enabled learning.
Opportunities for growth
Centre director Madam Santhi Sellapan shared that about 350 students from 70 secondary schools are currently enrolled. With the bigger space, UPTLC will be able to take in more students if necessary and introduce new teaching approaches such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality resources.
The larger premises will also allow the centre to host outdoor activities and learning journeys for students from primary to junior college levels, as well as deepen collaborations with Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools to promote cross-cultural literacy.
MOE also noted that the new location is close to other educational institutions such as the upcoming Singapore University of Social Sciences campus, NorthLight School and Hong Wen School, providing further opportunities for collaboration.
Sources: The Straits Times
