Committee on National Education

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1. The Ministry of Education is setting up a Committee on National Education (NE) to look at ways to further strengthen the heartware and rootedness of our young, and encourage them to shape the character and life of the society they will inherit.

2. We have to prepare young Singaporeans to seize the opportunities presented in a globalised world. Critically too, with each new generation we have to renew and strengthen the bonds between Singaporeans of different backgrounds and races. We must therefore nurture in our young both a deep sense of belonging to the country, and the global orientation that will keep Singapore strong and vibrant in a new world.

3. Chaired by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education, the Committee will comprise Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Members of Parliament, leaders in education and other stakeholders. The composition and terms of reference for the Committee are at Annex A and Annex B.

4. The Committee will have two main areas of work - first, to review and refocus our NE goals and outcomes; and second, to identify ways in which schools can take greater ownership of their NE programmes and enhance student engagement and initiative.

5. The Committee will be holding a series of focus group discussions to gather feedback and ideas from students, principals, teachers and parents. In particular, youth and students will be consulted on how they can be better engaged as active participants in shaping their future and Singapore’s future. The Committee will also consider the experiences of other countries in national or citizenship education. It will target to complete its work by March 2007.

6. NE was launched in 1997 to develop national cohesion, the instinct for survival and confidence in our future.

7. NE is infused in both formal and informal curriculum for primary and secondary schools, Junior Colleges and Centralised Institute. Through the formal curriculum, co-curricular programmes and other activities such as Learning Journeys, and commemoration of Total Defence Day, International Friendship Day, Racial Harmony Day and National Day, students would have a holistic knowledge of Singapore - the challenges it faces and the opportunities that are available – and learn the values and attitudes of responsible citizenship. NE is also delivered through other means such as the Community Involvement Programme which develops strong social conscience and promotes a sense of belonging to the community and nation.

8. Post-Secondary Education Institutes design their own NE programmes that draw on their institutions’ strengths and meet students’ interests. The programmes reach out to students through a mixture of coursework, community involvement and co-curricular activities.