Parliamentary Replies
Sportsmanship
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Er Lee Bee Wah, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education in the light of the recent injuries at inter-school sports events (a) what are the roles of the school teachers and external coaches at school sports events; (b) how are participants imbued with the spirit of sportsmanship; (c) what precautions have been taken by the schools to ensure that such events are not marred by acts of hooliganism or a “win at all costs” mentality.
Response
The educational goal of participation in sports and games is to shape and develop the character of our students. External coaches are sometimes engaged by schools in areas where teachers do not possess adequate expertise and experience to coach students, and to augment the manpower needs of Co-Curricular Activities(CCAs). Nevetheless, the responsibility to inculcate the correct values and imbue good sportsmanship in students, continues to be the primary responsibility of the school Principal and teachers. They must ensure that students on or off the sports arena learn and demonstrate respect, courtesy, fair play, responsibility and self discipline.
To ensure that both teachers and coaches transmit the right values through CCAs, MOE has been conducting courses on policies and pedagogy for coaches and will be strengthening our efforts in these areas. The courses cover areas like the Desired Outcomes of Education, the Singapore Schools Sports Council’s competition rules and regulations, and roles of coaches at national school games competitions.
It is a good outcome to have the national schools games competitions keenly contested but through them, students should be taught to uphold good sportsmanship, to win the competitions fairly and to accept defeat with dignity. Our teachers do brief students before and after games competitions, and use teachable moments to imbue sportsmanship.
Students who display unsportsmanlike behaviour during competitions as well as schools that do not abide by the rules and right values have to face disciplinary actions meted out by the games’ organising committee.
MOE will continue to emphasise to schools and coaches the importance of cultivating in the students the right values and conduct in sports. These incidents serve as valuable reminders of this educational goal.