Education on Ballot Secrecy in Schools

7 Mr Leon Perera asked the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether the revamped social studies syllabus, and/or other elements in the primary and/or secondary school curriculum, will provide detailed explanations for why ballot secrecy is inviolate in elections.

The Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (Mr Ng Chee Meng): Mdm Speaker, the Ministry of Education (MOE) places priority on the development of good citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities, so that they can participate actively in a parliamentary democracy. Through the Social Studies, History and Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum, students learn how elections allow citizens' interests to be represented and how this contributes to good governance. The curriculum develops an understanding of the significance of elections progressively.

At the primary and lower secondary levels, students are introduced to how elections shape our history from self-government to Independence. At the upper secondary levels, students learn about how representatives to Parliament are chosen by the people through General Elections. Students also engage in discussions about the roles of Members of Parliament and the Elected President.

Much can be taught about the elections. However, limited curriculum time requires careful selection of content for a strong understanding of citizenship and elections at each stage of the student's development. Thus, specific topics such as ballot secrecy are not included in the curriculum.

However, the Social Studies, History and CCE curriculum are designed to encourage further exploration by both teachers and students. They are provided with references such as the Elections Department website, where they can obtain more information about the process, including ballot secrecy.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Perera.

Mr Leon Perera (Non-Constituency Member): I think the Minister for his helpful reply. Mdm Speaker, in the course of my grassroots work, I have encountered quite a number of Singaporeans who are under a misimpression about ballot secrecy and have articulated to me the view that they are concerned that ballot secrecy is not inviolable, and the nature of their vote may be—

Mdm Speaker: Can you please put forth your question, Mr Perera?

Mr Leon Perera: Yes. So, in the context of the fact that there could be a minority of Singaporeans who are exercised about this issue and are concerned about ballot secrecy, would the Minister consider asking MOE to include a brief or a limited element of training about ballot secrecy within the Social Studies curriculum, given that it seems to be an issue that exercises a minority of Singaporeans, although it does not exercise the majority?

Mr Ng Chee Meng: Mdm Speaker, that voting is secret has been affirmed and re-affirmed multiple times, both in this Chamber and outside. Voting is an issue that concerns all Singaporeans. Through our curriculum and through the students' own exploratory learning together with their parents, in good time, when they reach 21 years old and beyond, they will be equipped with the necessary skills to evaluate for themselves whether voting is secret.

I would like to assure the Member that MOE will do its best to teach within our curriculum and also to encourage learning beyond the classroom so that they can evaluate for themselves that voting is secret.