Teaching of National Symbols as part of National Education

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Christopher de Souza, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether national education such as the meaning of the national anthem and meaning of the colours and symbols on our flag are taught in lower primary school.

Response

1. At Primary 1, students learn to sing the National Anthem in their Music lessons and recite the National Pledge during morning assembly. During their Character and Citizenship Education lessons, students learn that these daily actions express our loyalty to Singapore and help to develop a sense of belonging to the country. At Primary 2, students learn to recognise the National Symbols of Singapore in their Social Studies lessons. This includes knowing the different features of the National Flag and the symbolic meanings behind the colours, crescent moon and stars found on our National Flag.

2. Students’ learning in these areas is then deepened over time. For example, Music teachers would revisit the National Anthem with their students in subsequent years, to go through commonly mispronounced words and help students understand the meaning of the lyrics. Similarly, in Primary 4 Social Studies, students delve more deeply into the significance of the National Symbols.

3. Resources such as animated videos are available to support these efforts. For example, we have videos that explain to lower primary students, in an engaging way, the significance of the National Anthem as well as the meaning of each line of its lyrics, as well as the compelling story of the origins of the National Anthem and its composer, Pak Zubir Said.

4. All these efforts ensure that students understand the significance of singing the National Anthem and reciting the Pledge daily.