MPs call for some changes in education sector
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 May 2009 1715 hrs

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SINGAPORE: MPs have urged the Ministry of Education to revamp parts of the curriculum in schools.

MP for Aljunied GRC Cynthia Phua has asked that the government reviews its policy and consider adopting the modular system in secondary schools.

She said that this will help students focus on the subjects that suit their standards and do well before moving on to the next level of subjects.

She said: "In this manner, the child would not only have a wider opportunity of interaction among his peers and would be able to learn and recognise the strength and weaknesses of his peers and learn to interact and respect each other for their individual capabilities."

MP for Marine Parade GRC, Lim Biow Chuan, urged the government to consider teaching basic character values throughout the entire school curriculum, from primary school all the way to university.

This is to ensure that good values such as humility, compassion and kindness are inculcated in the next generation. Mr Lim added that parents play an important part in moulding their children's character as graciousness starts from home.

He said: "MOE should ask itself: 'Are we happy with the values of the young Singaporeans who have gone through the school system? Do they bear the positive traits that we want to see in the future generation of Singaporeans?

"Are the scholars that we produce - the GEP students, the top tier students in the IP schools, our university and polytechnic graduates - are they humble, considerate, kind, grateful, compassionate, willing to help others?

"Do they appreciate all that Singapore has done for them and the many opportunities that they have been given compared to other third world countries?'

"We should make character education an integral part of the education system and not just another non-examinable subject. We must evaluate our school principals and administrators not on how many students they can produce with outstanding academic results, but how well they mould their students." - CNA/vm