Assessment of Recent Classroom Sharing of Israel-Hamas Conflict
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the delivery of Character and Citizenship Education lessons regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Gaza humanitarian crisis. Several Members of Parliament inquired about teacher preparation, curriculum transparency, the balance of perspectives in schools, and the support provided to educators. They also questioned how stakeholder feedback is incorporated into curriculum reviews and the selection criteria for discussing sensitive global issues. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing stated that these matters were addressed during the Ministry of Education’s Committee of Supply Debate. The detailed response is recorded in the Official Report for the 4 March 2024 Parliamentary sitting.
Transcript
13 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Education (a) how are lessons on the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza shared with students in schools; and (b) whether teachers are engaged or consulted before such lessons are made, considering the teachers’ diverse individual views and convictions.
14 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Education (a) how are schools equipped to engage students in current affairs such as the Israel-Palestine crisis; (b) whether the Ministry can provide some examples of current affairs issues which have been incorporated into school lessons; and (c) what is the role which educational institutions play in encouraging youths to be thoughtful and compassionate global citizens.
16 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Education what have been the lessons learnt arising from feedback and concerns raised by some parents about the historically selective and allegedly imbalanced treatment of the Israel-Hamas conflict under the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum.
18 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Education (a) how does the Ministry incorporate feedback from stakeholders including students, parents and educators in the development and periodic review of the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum; and (b) whether there are plans to increase transparency and stakeholder involvement in curriculum updates concerning global issues.
19 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Education (a) whether teachers have the option to express their unease in delivering the Character and Citizenship Education lesson package on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza; (b) what support is provided to these teachers in their delivery of the lesson package where they receive backlash from parents, stakeholders and the general public; and (c) whether the school management will take actions against teachers who are the subject of complaints.
20 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Education (a) what considerations does the Ministry take into account when deciding which current issues to include as a compulsory part of the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum; (b) how does the Ministry identify which global events and international conflicts will require it to provide students with a safe space to discuss such topics; and (c) how does the Ministry determine that its curriculum content on such topics is up to date and provides a comprehensive overview.
21 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Education (a) how does the Ministry prepare teachers to deliver the Character and Citizenship Education lesson package on the crisis in Gaza to ensure students appreciate the different dimensions of the crisis and discuss issues in a sensitive and respectful manner; and (b) how does the Ministry ensure that teachers do not impose their own views or advocate the interests of one of the parties involved.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: These questions have been addressed in the Ministry of Education’s Committee of Supply Debate on 4 March 2024 Sitting. [Please refer to "Committee of Supply – Head K (Ministry of Education)", Official Report, 4 March 2024, Vol 95, Issue 129, Budget section.]