Schools Emphasise Holistic Development of Students

We thank Mr Lin Zi Jun for his views on the importance of developing social-emotional competencies in our students ("Education system should focus on developing emotional intelligence, Dec 29, 2022").

Holistic development of students, including the development of values, character, and social-emotional well-being, is an important focus in our schools. Through Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lessons, students learn how to regulate their emotions, develop positive relationships, have empathy for others, and about responsible decision-making. Teachers also cultivate mindsets and skills to help students remain resilient in the face of challenges. Such learning is reinforced beyond the classroom through co-curricular activities, learning journeys, and outdoor adventure learning camps.

As a Secondary One student last year, Mr Lin would have opportunities to observe the systemic changes the Ministry of Education (MOE) has made in recent years to shift mindsets away from an excessive focus on academic grades, broaden the definitions of success, and encourage the joy of continuous lifelong learning. Mr Lin was one of the first batch of students to undergo the new PSLE scoring system in 2021, which aims to reduce fine differentiation and comparison of examination results at a young age. As Mr Lin rightly pointed out in a previous ZB forum letter ("PSLE scoring system has more benefits than disadvantages, Jul 3, 2021"), the new scoring system also seeks to free up time for students to explore their interests outside of the classroom. By this year, mid-year examinations for all primary and secondary levels will be removed to give students more time and space to undertake self-directed learning.

Even as we make these shifts, academic assessments still play an important role in understanding students' learning progress and needs, which allows them to better receive tailored support at every stage of their learning journey.

MOE will continue to ensure that our curriculum stays relevant to develop students holistically, and work in partnership with parents to nurture in them the competencies and values they need to thrive in life.

Ms Loh Wee Cheng
Divisional Director, Student Development Curriculum Division 1
Ministry of Education

学校重视学生的全面发展

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于2022年12月29日刊登的林子峻读者投函《教育制度应重视培养情商》：

我们感谢林读者的投函，提出协助学生培养情商的重要性。

学校向来非常重视学生的全面发展；这包括价值观、品格以及社交情感健康。通过学校的品格与公民教育课，学生将学习如何调整他们的情绪，建立正面的人际关系，培养对他人的同理心，以及负责任的决策。教师也培养学生的思维与技能，帮助他们在面对挑战时能够从容应对。这些技能的学习，也通过课外的课程辅助活动、学习之旅以及户外探险学习营进一步巩固。

林读者去年身为一名中一学生，应该有机会见证教育部近几年来的系统性改革，以调整过去过度重视学术成绩的思维，扩大成功的定义范围，鼓励培养终身学习的乐趣。林读者也是参与2021年小六会考新积分等级制度的第一批学生。这项新制度是为了减低年幼学生对考试成绩的微差过于重视，以及互相攀比的心理。正如林读者于2021年7月3日在《联合早报·交流站》的投函《小六会考积分等级制度利多于弊》中指出，新积分等级制度也旨在腾出更多时间，让学生探索课堂以外的兴趣。今年全国小学和中学将取消所有科目的年中考试，让学生有更多时间和更大的空间从事自主学习活动。

在我们逐步推进这些改革的过程中，学术考核对了解学生的学习进度以及需求依然至关重要，让学生在每个学习阶段，都能够接受针对性的指导。

教育部将继续确保课程跟得上时代的需求，为学生提供全面发展，并且与家长建立伙伴关系，让学生培养出在生活中取得成功所需的技能与价值观。

卢炜桢
教育部学生发展课程司(第一司)统筹司长