Whole-of-society effort needed to develop youths into responsible, contributing citizens

We share Ms Yang Hui Zhen's view that moral and character development is crucial to moulding our young to become responsible, caring, and contributing citizens ("Youth offenders getting younger is a cause for concern, Apr 27").

Our schools place great priority on holistic development of students. Through Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lessons, students learn how to make informed and responsible decisions in life, regulate their emotions, and support their peers. Such learning is reinforced through experiences outside the classroom, such as co-curricular activities, learning journeys, Values-in-Action (德育在于行动) programmes, and camps.

Schools also take a positive and proactive approach to discipline, and seek to promote a safe and supportive school environment. Inappropriate behaviour is addressed promptly, and appropriate disciplinary measures are taken to ensure that students develop self-management and good character. Such efforts are paired with counselling by trusted adults to help students understand the consequences of their actions and take responsibility so that they learn from their mistakes.

Educating our young is a whole-of-society effort. Our youths need care, encouragement and guidance to learn from their mistakes. Schools will continue to partner parents who play a critical role in instilling and reinforcing the right values and behaviour in their children, as well as other agencies and community partners to nurture our young to become morally upright individuals and caring citizens.

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

培养正直有为年轻人需全社会的努力

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于4月27日刊登的杨慧贞读者投函《青少年犯错年龄下降应关注》：

我们赞同杨女士的观点，即道德和品格的发展，对于塑造年轻人成为负责任、有爱心和有贡献的公民至关重要。

我们的学校非常重视学生的全面发展。通过品格与公民教育（Character and Citizenship Education）课程，让学生学习如何在生活中做出明智和负责任的决定，调节自己的情绪，并支持他们的同辈。通过课程辅助活动、学习之旅、"德育在于行动"（Values in Action）计划和学习营等课外体验，这方面的学习会得到加强。

学校也积极主动处理纪律问题，并致力打造安全和有利的学校环境。不当行为会迅速得到处理，学校会采取适当的纪律措施，以确保学生培养自我管理和优良品格。这些努力与可信赖的成年人所提供的辅导相辅相成，帮助学生理解自己行为的后果并承担责任，以便从错误中学习。

教育年轻人需全社会的努力。年轻人需要关怀、鼓励和指导，才能从错误中学习。家长在向孩子灌输和加强正确价值观和行为方面，发挥关键作用，学校会继续与他们，以及其他机构和社区合作伙伴合作，以培养年轻人成为道德正直的人和有爱心的公民。

卢炜桢
教育部学生发展课程司(第一司)统筹司长