SINGAPORE: Education today is about developing
enduring skills and character, and less about transferring content
knowledge, says Education Minister Heng Swee
Keat.
He said it starts with recruiting teachers with the
right values to guide young Singaporeans.
Mr Heng was speaking at the ministry's annual
promotion ceremony on Thursday.
The connection between character building and physical education
may not be apparent, but some saw the potential in gymnastics and
drama.
Mr Muhammad Ali, Head of Physical Education at Guangyang Primary
School, said: "You can't really teach character. What you need to
do is create that situation, that scenario where students are able
to think on their feet, and engage them in problem-solving, how to
relate with each other in case during the activities they have
issues with one another, and how to resolve situations like
that."
Mr Muhammad Ali is one of 6,803 education officers promoted this
year.
Mr Heng said: "Education is now less about transferring content
knowledge but more about learning how to learn and about holistic
development. Our students need to know what is right and what is
wrong. They need to discern truths from untruths.
"Education is about developing in our students an enduring core of
competencies, values and character, so that they have the
resilience to survive and succeed in a future which could be very
different from the one that we are living in today."
Among the promoted officers, there are 121 Principals - almost
three times the number last year.
As the ministry's leadership grows, Mr Heng said teachers continue
to take a central position in delivering its values-driven
education.
"They themselves must have the relevant values, knowledge and
skills to guide our young. It starts with recruiting teachers with
the right values and passion to teach. NIE then needs to develop
them, not just with a strong foundation in pedagogical content
knowledge, but also in the ethos of the teaching profession," he
said.
In 2010, the Ministry reviewed its educational outcomes and drew up
its 21s Century Competency Framework. It wants to develop students
who are confident learners, active contributors, and concerned
citizens.
The ministry is also rewarding those who have made a mark in
helping teachers - teach.
Mr Manmohan Singh, Vice Principal (Administration) at Anglo-Chinese
School (Barker Road), said: "Providing support structures and
putting in place processes to support teachers where administration
is concerned.
"One thing we realise today is teachers are very bogged down with
administration. What we try to do is that we try to minimise as
much as possible their administrative work, so they get a chance to
focus strictly on teaching, so that we bring our students up to a
certain level where you can see them going into 21st century global
citizens."
Mr Manmohan Singh is among a new and growing breed of Vice
Principals tackling this essential support for teachers.
- CNA/de