Proposal for Course on Tripartism for Graduating Students at Institutes of Higher Learning

Mr Abdul Samad asked the Minister for Education whether a module on tripartism can be included as part of the graduating year for students in Institutes of Higher Learning.

The curriculum in our secondary schools and pre-University institutions expose students to the concept and importance of tripartism. In subjects such as History, Social Studies, Economics, and Character and Citizenship Education, students learn how consensus is built when groups with different interests work together to achieve collective goals and how positive industrial relations and collaboration among unions, employers and the Government contribute to Singapore’s stability and economic growth.

The Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) build on these foundational efforts to deepen students’ understanding of tripartism in Singapore. The IHLs offer a range of modules that cover issues such as the role of trade unions and tripartism in Singapore, employee relations, industrial relations, labour laws, manpower policies, collective bargaining and dispute resolution.

There are also additional exposure opportunities for IHL students outside the formal curriculum, such as dialogues with representatives from Government, industry and the labour unions.