Introducing Module in Schools to Learn About Consumer Education

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Mountbatten

Question

To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether the Ministry will consider introducing a module in schools to learn about consumer education.

Response

Food and Consumer Education, formerly known as ‘Home Economics’, is a compulsory subject for all lower secondary students.  In this subject, students learn basic knowledge and skills related to responsible financial management, which lies at the heart of consumer education.  In particular, they learn about consumer rights and responsibilities, reliability of advertisement claims and the need for comparative shopping before making a purchase. 

Beyond this subject, specific aspects of consumer education are integrated into the learning of other subjects that lend themselves well to such discussion. For example, in the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum for primary school students, they are introduced to the values of thrift and savings, and basic ideas on budgeting.   At the upper primary level, students are taught to distinguish between needs and wants so that they can learn to manage finances better in their daily lives.
 
Beyond the formal curriculum, our schools also expose students to other aspects of consumer education through platforms such as talks, learning journeys and assembly programmes. 

Collectively, these curricular and co-curricular programmes provide our students with a good foundation in understanding and exercising their rights and responsibilities as consumers.