Support for Broadcast of Research-based Children’s Educational Programming on Free-to-air Television Channels

17 Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will develop a media strategy for improving educational and psychosocial developmental outcomes in young children through subsidising or supporting the broadcast of research-based educational programming on free-to-air television channels or online provision.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, MOE guides schools in harnessing technology to support the learning and holistic development of students. The extent and mode of technology used is guided by considerations such as educational value and developmental appropriateness.

At the pre-school level, children learn best when they explore using their five senses, engage in hands-on activities, and learn through face-to-face interactions. Teachers facilitate the use of media content and educational technology in appropriate ways to complement these learning experiences.

From the Primary level, all students are given access to educational resources via the Singapore Student Learning Space, an online platform that was rolled out to all schools in 2018. The resources on this platform contain media content developed in-house by MOE and schools, as well as content curated from external sources, including free-to-air television channels and online media. These resources include educational videos, interactive games and simulations.

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira (Nominated Member): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for that reply. My concern is that children and their parents do spend quite a lot of time watching free-to-air television and other resources outside of schools. Will the Ministry look into developing standards for what counts as educational programming for the purpose of guiding the free-to-air television channels, for example. A lot of commercial programming aimed at children has the objective of selling merchandise or advertising, not educating the youth.

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, we look at it not only from the very specific educational perspective. We work with our agencies to see how we can provide that educational experience and calibrate it in the sense that it brings goodness to the children. In fact, we even look at the free-to-air channels as well as how we provide the opportunities. We want to make sure that those in our future generation understand and are able to immerse themselves in the new environment, using technology, to maximise its potential in gaining the benefits. We now have Toggle platform, also the SLS. How all these resources can be looked at together, and in addition to the instructions or guidance that we give to pre-schools. For example, MOE has developed a set of teaching and learning guidelines on the use of information and communication technology in pre-school centres in 2017. This has become quite useful for our teachers and educators on the ground.

Nevertheless, the over-arching perspective and our vision is that we want to provide a wholesome experience to all our children while making use of the advantages and the benefits of ICT media platforms. At the same time, we have certain programmes, for example, the Cyber Wellness Programme in schools, to enable them to make a choice, a choice that will bring them goodness in their lives.

1.30 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. Introduction of Government Bills.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos 18-23, 25 and 27-28 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question Nos 24 and 26 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament.]