Religious Knowledge as Part of Secondary Education Curriculum

Debated in Parliament on 17 Feb 2014.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Ministry of Education about reintroducing Religious Knowledge as a compulsory subject in secondary schools.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat explained that current subjects like Character and Citizenship Education and Social Studies already teach students about Singapore’s major religions and promote values of harmony.
The Minister stated that schools also observe Racial Harmony Day annually, and existing efforts make a separate Religious Knowledge subject unnecessary.
The debate highlights differing views on whether a dedicated religious curriculum is needed versus integrating religious education into broader subjects.
The government maintains that the existing curriculum effectively fosters respect and harmony without requiring a distinct Religious Knowledge course.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

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Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider re-introducing Religious Knowledge (RK) as part of the Secondary education curriculum.

Heng Swee Keat

Our school curriculum today provides for our students to learn the values of respect, responsibility, care and harmony in fostering racial and religious harmony in Singapore. In Character and Citizenship Education and Social Studies, which are taken by all students, they learn the six major religions in Singapore; namely, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and Taoism. Aspects of these religions, such as their origins, significance of beliefs and practices, celebration of festivals and being sensitive to the beliefs and practices of others, are covered.

Our schools also celebrate Racial Harmony Day annually. With the range of efforts to teach our students about multicultural and multi-religious Singapore and the good values taught in the religions, it is not necessary to introduce Religious Knowledge as a separate subject.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Ministry of Education about reintroducing Religious Knowledge as a compulsory subject in secondary schools.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat explained that current subjects like Character and Citizenship Education and Social Studies already teach students about Singapore’s major religions and promote values of harmony.
The Minister stated that schools also observe Racial Harmony Day annually, and existing efforts make a separate Religious Knowledge subject unnecessary.
The debate highlights differing views on whether a dedicated religious curriculum is needed versus integrating religious education into broader subjects.
The government maintains that the existing curriculum effectively fosters respect and harmony without requiring a distinct Religious Knowledge course.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Religious Knowledge as Part of Secondary Education Curriculum | PAPERCUTS

Religious Knowledge as Part of Secondary Education Curriculum

Debated in Parliament on 17 Feb 2014.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Ministry of Education about reintroducing Religious Knowledge as a compulsory subject in secondary schools.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat explained that current subjects like Character and Citizenship Education and Social Studies already teach students about Singapore’s major religions and promote values of harmony.
The Minister stated that schools also observe Racial Harmony Day annually, and existing efforts make a separate Religious Knowledge subject unnecessary.
The debate highlights differing views on whether a dedicated religious curriculum is needed versus integrating religious education into broader subjects.
The government maintains that the existing curriculum effectively fosters respect and harmony without requiring a distinct Religious Knowledge course.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider re-introducing Religious Knowledge (RK) as part of the Secondary education curriculum.

Heng Swee Keat

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Ministry of Education about reintroducing Religious Knowledge as a compulsory subject in secondary schools.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat explained that current subjects like Character and Citizenship Education and Social Studies already teach students about Singapore’s major religions and promote values of harmony.
The Minister stated that schools also observe Racial Harmony Day annually, and existing efforts make a separate Religious Knowledge subject unnecessary.
The debate highlights differing views on whether a dedicated religious curriculum is needed versus integrating religious education into broader subjects.
The government maintains that the existing curriculum effectively fosters respect and harmony without requiring a distinct Religious Knowledge course.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Religious Knowledge as Part of Secondary Education Curriculum

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

Heng Swee Keat

Summary

Questions Identified

Religious Knowledge as Part of Secondary Education Curriculum

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

Heng Swee Keat

Summary

Questions Identified