Emphasis on oriental core values and family values

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education how will the Ministry assess regularly and ensure that our children continue to uphold relevant oriental core values and family values such as filial piety, care for the elderly and savings habits that have made Singapore what it is today.

Response

1. As part of our national curriculum, schools emphasise the values of respect, resilience, responsibility, integrity, care and harmony in classroom lessons, through co-curricular activities and experiential activities like the Values in Action (VIA) programme. Topics such as filial piety, caring for others and importance of saving are covered in subjects such as Character and Citizenship Education (CCE).

2. Schools also work with parents and the community in reinforcing values education. Schools encourage parents to build on what is taught in schools at home. Schools also work with community partners for students to live out the core values through age-appropriate experiential learning. By engaging with the elderly through VIA for example, students better understand their needs and the role they can play to make a difference.

3. Schools review their programs regularly on the effectiveness of the curriculum in inculcating values. The Ministry also conducts regular reviews and improve on the syllabuses and pedagogical approaches in teaching values through the various subject areas. Home and community efforts coupled with what is taught in schools will maximise our students’ ability to internalise the values taught and demonstrate them in their daily lives.