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
nope. wrong. it starts from teh family. so if we have some pervert old teecher cher who molest the same sex students or female students or go sexual grooming should they be the example to set for our sons and dotters?