Interaction Opportunities of Lower Primary Students with Peers from Different Socio-economic Backgrounds

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr David Hoe, Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) what opportunities do lower primary students currently have for sustained interaction with peers from different socio-economic backgrounds; and (b) whether Ministry will consider strengthening such opportunities, particularly for schools serving areas with limited public housing and at ages when CCAs and other cross-school activities are less available.

Response

1. Most primary schools have a good mix of students, reflecting the neighbourhood around them. Through their everyday school experience, students learn, play and build friendships with classmates from different socio-economic backgrounds. MOE will continue to encourage greater mixing among students from different backgrounds.
2. MOE takes an age-appropriate approach to students' holistic development. Lower primary students generally do not participate in CCAs and cross-school activities, as the priority is to help them make a smooth transition from pre-school to primary school and build strong foundations for learning and social-emotional development. As they grow older, they will have more opportunities through CCAs, school programmes and cross-school activities to interact with peers including those from other schools.