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NEW SOCIAL STUDIES (PRI) SYLLABUS

1. The teaching of Social Studies will be extended to pupils in the lower primary levels (viz. Primary 1-3) from the year 2000, to provide another avenue for the implementation of National Education (NE). The primary school Social Studies syllabus has been revised in two ways - first, to extend it to lower primary pupils so as to instil in them a love for our people and our country, and second, to expose upper primary pupils to the history of nation building.
2. Social Studies is a subject that lends itself to the infusion of NE. At the lower primary levels, the syllabus components introduce pupils to the world beginning with the school, and extending to the neighbourhood and society. An awareness of the environment and community in which they live helps pupils to develop positive attitudes which are important in nurturing citizenship roles and responsibilities early in life.
3. At the upper primary levels, the syllabus has been revised to provide a wider coverage of Singapore’s post-war history, the road to nationhood and the nation’s achievements since independence. This enables our pupils to have a better understanding of the nation’s historical developments, economic progress and the importance of social bonding among the ethnic communities. (Annex A  lists the key topics of the new syllabus).
4. NE messages are infused in the syllabus wherever possible. For instance, a lesson on the Japanese Occupation of Singapore would help the pupils realise the importance of defence and national service. Lessons in Geography would bring about an awareness of the physical constraints of space so that the pupils understand how Singapore has efficiently used land for housing, industry and recreation. On the issue of water, pupils would learn of the nation’s plans to ensure sufficiency in this precious resource and not to waste it.

Curriculum Time

5. Curriculum time for Social Studies is one period per week for Primary 1 to Primary 3. For the upper primary levels, curriculum time remains unchanged at 2 periods per week for Primary 4, and 3 periods per week for Primary 5 and Primary 6.
6. For Primary 1 and Primary 2, the total curriculum time will be increased by one period from 47 periods to 48 periods per week to accommodate the new Social Studies period. For Primary 3, Principals will be given the flexibility to create the Social Studies period either from the English Language periods or from Civics and Moral Education periods. The Principal’s decision will be guided by the language abilities and needs of the pupils in his school.

Assessment in Social Studies

7. Social Studies will continue to be a non-examination subject for all pupils except those in the Gifted Education Programme (GEP). The GEP pupils are currently required to sit for a paper in Social Studies at the PSLE and this will continue. Progress in Social Studies for the other pupils will be evaluated through activities such as written assignments, quizzes and project work.

Schedule for Implementation

8. The new Social Studies (Pri) syllabus will be implemented in phases as shown in the table below:

Annex A

Overview Of The Social Studies (Primary) Syllabus