Developing 21st Century Competencies in Students

We thank Mr Yang Yong Qiang for his suggestion to introduce philosophy in the school curriculum ("可考虑把哲学引入校园", Mar 18) to equip our students with critical thinking skills.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to nurturing students who are confident, adaptable and resilient, and has been directing our efforts towards the holistic development of our students. This includes strengthening their 21^st Century Competencies, such as critical, adaptive and inventive thinking, to better prepare them for the future.

While philosophy is not a distinct subject in the national curriculum, the underlying skills of critical thinking and reasoning that form the subject's foundation are embedded in the design of our national curriculum. Through diverse academic and non-academic learning experiences, students develop the ability to think critically, adapt to changing circumstances, and explore innovative solutions to real-world challenges. For example, in science and humanities lessons, students engage in the inquiry process to ask fundamental questions and construct knowledge in these disciplines. In co-curricular activities, students develop adaptability and sharpen their problem-solving and communication skills by working on real-world issues in group settings.

Students who wish to delve deeper into philosophical inquiry and discourse can take up courses in philosophy at our Institutes of Higher Learning.

MOE will continue to nurture our students with the values, competencies and dispositions they require to thrive in life.

Mr Sherwin Cheng
Director, 21^st Century Competencies Office
Ministry of Education

教育部致力培养学生的21世纪技能

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于3月18日刊登的杨永强读者投函《可考虑把哲学引入校园》：

杨先生建议将哲学引入学校课程，以培养学生批判性思维能力，我们对此表示感谢。

教育部致力于培养自信、适应力强、有韧性的学生，并一直在促进学生的全面发展。这包括加强他们的21世纪技能（21^st Century Competencies），如批判性、适应性和创造性思维，以更好地为未来做好准备。

虽然哲学不是全国课程的一个独立科目，但我们在设计全国课程时，已将作为哲学基础的批判性思维和推理这些基本技能融入其中。通过多样化的学术和非学术学习体验，学生培养了批判性思考、适应不断变化的环境，以及探索解决现实世界挑战的创新方案的能力。例如，在科学和人文课程中，学生在探究过程中提出根本性问题，构建这些学科的知识。在课程辅助活动中，学生通过小组讨论解决现实世界问题的方式，培养适应力，提高他们解决问题和沟通的能力。

有意更深入地研究哲学问题和论述的学生，可以在大专学府选修哲学课程。

教育部会继续培养学生的价值观、能力和品性，使他们能在人生中取得成功。

郑昌祥
教育部 21 世纪技能办公室司长