MOE refreshes secondary school art syllabus to prepare students for a changing world

SINGAPORE: A “hybrid animal” takes shape on a Secondary 1 student’s art assignment, complete with arms that can help seniors get around.

Koh Wen Cheng, 13, and his fellow classmates are blending different parts of their favourite animals, drawing from their own interests to experiment with unique and unconventional traits.

They then turn to their laptops to discuss and give feedback on each other’s creations – all in a bid to get students to think critically about their work and find new ways to improve.

“The main problem that the elderly are facing now is that they don't really get any friends or peers to talk with … so I drew this animal which can help converse (with them) and (when they need) help getting food, water, or transport,” Wen Cheng told CNA.

This is all part of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) new art syllabus for secondary schools, which has been implemented across more than 140 schools so far.

It was first rolled out to Secondary 1 and 2 students last year, then to Secondary 3 and 4 students this year.

SHARPEN THINKING, BE FUTURE-READY

The refreshed syllabus aims to sharpen creative and critical thinking, as well as communication skills, to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

The education ministry said it is putting greater emphasis on diversity of ideas in art classes and moving away from rigid formulas and final products.

"MOE is looking at how to make our students a bit more future-ready … so the revised syllabuses harness the broad yet unique competencies that art can develop in our youths,” said Ms Jacelyn Kee, deputy director of art and dance at MOE’s student development curriculum division.

“(It’s about) seeing things in fresh and innovative ways, having emotional and cultural intelligence and building capacity for uncertainties.”

She noted that in the past, for example, students were asked to replicate the likeness of objects. But now during drawing lessons, they are driven to look at how they respond to the world and think about what drives their ideas.

The syllabus looks to keep lessons relevant by drawing from pop culture images that teens already know, such as the popular Pokemon anime, while exposing them to local artists and real-world issues like vaping.

EXPLORE AI IN UPPER SEC

These lessons are taken one step further when students reach Secondary 3.

Upper secondary students now get to design with the help of artificial intelligence and explore sectors that power Singapore’s creative economy.

Through group discussions and feedback, they are also invited to be critical of AI and use it to shape their creativity instead of allowing it to dominate their creating process.

"I think there's value in allowing students to see how art can actually influence the way we live and actually change perceptions. Art, being a very visual language, has the power to do that,” said Mr Lim Kok Boon, a Master Teacher of art from the Singapore Teacher Academy for the Arts.

“(I think it will) allow them to understand that they have the power to make the change, but also how art as a form of communication can actually influence our thoughts and behaviour even.”

Ms Kee said the syllabus aims to celebrate what makes people human, but also pushes students to think about how to be skilled and ethical users of technology.

Mr Lim noted that the art landscape has greatly evolved from his time as a student, recounting how there were hardly any museums or galleries he could go to.

“We are (living) in exciting times, and it's timely that teachers can embrace the changing landscape and see what we can do to make art more interesting and fulfilling for all of us,” he added.

MOE said it will continue to review the arts syllabus with feedback from teachers.