Speeches
FY 2008 Committee of Supply Debate: 6th Reply by Minister of State Mr Gan Kim Yong on Languages and Special Education
华文教学改革的进展
主席，首先， 我要感谢杨木光议员对小学华文教改的关心以及所提出的意见。华文课程与教学法检讨委员会建议采用灵活而富于伸缩性的课程让不同语言背景及语文能力的学生乐于学习华文，从而帮助他们充分发挥在华文这方面的潜能。
2006年，教育部给小一及小二的学生进行由教育部编写的新小学华文课程的试教，去年则给小三的学生进行新课程的试教。试教过程中的调查显示了令人鼓舞的成效，新的课程，加上单元模式以及促使学生积极学习的教学法，能够更加灵活地应付学生学习上的需要。
如今单元模式课程已推行到全国小学的一年级到四年级，明年将推行到五年级，而后年则推行到六年级。教育部给华文老师提供了系统的训练以确保他们能顺利实施新的课程。此外，我们还有一支人数多达70人的队伍为非试教学校提供支援，当中包括了特级教师、课程规划员以及试教学校的老师们。老师们也获得各种资源，如教学指导、评估指引以及数码资源等。为了实行单元模式教学，每所小学去年也增派了一名华文教师。而今年六月以前，每所小学还会再分配一名华文教师。
教育部最近也宣布1所有母语教师将根据培训蓝图进行在职培训与提升。我们将为母语教师提供更多发展机会，包括让他们参加有关教学研究、教学法以及评估的各种课程。
教育部也设立了推广学习华文委员会，争取华社的支持，为学生营造一个学习与应用华文的大环境。委员会成员包括国会议员、教育工作者、出版社以及华社各集团与专业团体的代表。杨木光议员正是这个委员会的成员之一。在过去几年里，委员会积极推动阅读计划，并为学前教育举办各种活动，也作出各种努力把华文的使用带出课室。
新加坡作为华文教学中心
杨议员也提到将新加坡发展为一个华文中心。我相信新加坡有潜能成为卓越的华文教学中心，以英语为第一语文的双语教育，不但是我国教育的基石，更是我们的一大优势，让新加坡在教授与学习华文作为第二语文方面制造了有利的环境。我们将多方探讨如何善加利用我们所奠定下来的稳固基础。
Footnotes:
- 教育部高级政务次长于2008年2月20日宣布将为母语教师提供更多发展机会。 ↵
Progress of CL Review Implementation
Sir, I thank Mr Yeo for his interest in and comments on the Review of Chinese Language. The CL Review recommended a flexible curriculum to enthuse learners of different backgrounds and abilities as well as help them achieve their fullest potential in CL.
MOE developed and piloted the new Primary CL curriculum at Primary 1 and Primary 2 levels in 2006, and at Primary 3 level last year. The surveys conducted during pilot implementation yielded encouraging results. They indicated that the new curriculum, with its modular approach and active-learning pedagogy, provided students with greater flexibility to meet their diverse CL learning needs.
The modular curriculum is now being implemented in all schools at P1 to P4 levels. This will be followed by P5 next year and P6 in 2010. Structured training was provided to CL teachers to ensure that they can implement the new curriculum well. In addition, a 70-strong team, comprising Master Teachers, curriculum planning officers and teachers from the pilot schools provided curriculum support to the non-pilot schools. Resources such as teaching guides, assessment guidelines and digital resources were also provided. To implement the modular CL curriculum, all primary schools were given one more CL teacher last year. A second additional CL teacher will be given to primary schools by June this year.
MOE announced recently that a learning roadmap for all Mother Tongue Language (MTL) teachers would be drawn up to guide them in their professional development. We will provide more development opportunities for our MTL teachers. These include courses on action research, pedagogy and assessment.
In this regard, MOE has also set up the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning to garner community support for promoting the use of CL beyond schools. The committee comprises Members of Parliament, educators, publishers and representatives from CL Community Organisations and professional bodies. Mr Yeo is a member of this committee. Over the past years, the Committee has actively facilitated reading programmes, events targeted at Pre-School children and other initiatives to promote the use of CL beyond schools.
Singapore as a Hub for Teaching & Learning
Mr Yeo also suggested that Singapore can develop into a CL hub. I, too, believe that Singapore has the potential to become a centre of excellence for the teaching and learning of CL. In particular, our unique bilingual environment offers conducive conditions and gives Singapore a competitive advantage in teaching and learning CL as a second language. We will explore ways to leverage on the strong foundation we have built.
Learning of Multi-Cultural Heritage
Mr Baey Yam Keng suggested introducing a new syllabus module on Singapore’s multi-cultural aspects. MOE consciously exposes our students to Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage through subjects such as Mother Tongue Languages as well as Civics and Moral Education. For example, in the Chinese Language curriculum, students are exposed not only to Chinese but also Malay and Indian traditions and customs. Through Civics and Moral Education, students gain insights on harmonious living in a multi-racial society.
Mr Baey will also be glad to know that some of our schools also provide activities that are related to ethnic culture. Poi Ching Primary School, for example, has Teochew opera classes for its students, and Chung Cheng High School offers Nanying, a special musical instrument of Chinese ethnic origin. Students also get to explore and experience various cultures at first-hand, including ethnic cuisines, through learning journeys to Chinatown, Malay Village and Little India.
These curriculums and school activities help strengthen students’ awareness and appreciation of Singapore’s vibrant cultural diversity. Learning about each other’s cultures helps connect students of different backgrounds and nurture their respect for each others’ traditions and beliefs.
Support for Children wiwtht Special Education Needs
Ms Denise Phua spoke about children with special needs earlier. MOE shares her vision of helping special needs children to realise their potential to the fullest.
Ms Phua suggested a shared services model for SPED schools. I agree that this is a useful approach in optimising resources and enhancing professionalism. MOE will study this further.
Ms Phua also asked if MOE could send good officers for attachment in SPED schools. I am glad to inform her that MOE officers may request for secondment to SPED schools, and that such requests are usually supported. Last year, there were 30 MOE officers on secondment to special education schools, including three principals. MOE officers may also seek to be attached to special education schools under the work attachment programme for a shorter period, and 10 officers have done so last year.
We are also developing a Quality Assurance Framework for special education schools, and we will take Ms Phua’s feedback into account. I would like to reaffirm that MOE and NCSS are committed to continually improve support for education for children with special needs.