Debated in Parliament on 11 Nov 2013.
Mr Pritam Singh asked the Prime Minister (a) what criteria are used to determine the content of the Singapore Citizenship Journey; and (b) whether the relevant Ministry will consider adding more emphasis on topics relating to Singapore's Constitution and democratic norms when reviewing the content of the Singapore Citizenship Journey.
The Singapore Citizenship Journey (SCJ) is a mandatory programme that helps new citizens learn about Singapore's multicultural society, values and norms; facilitates their involvement in the community; and welcomes them into the Singaporean family.
The SCJ consists of an online module, an experiential learning programme that brings participants to significant historical landmarks and national institutions and a Community Sharing Session. The SCJ covers Singapore's history and policies, key institutions, such as our parliamentary system and rule of law, and highlights the responsibilities of citizenship. Through the Community Sharing Session, local community leaders share with new citizens their experiences of living in a multiracial and multi-religious society and encourage them to be involved in the community.
The content of the SCJ is determined by two main criteria. First, does the content help new citizens to better understand and adapt to the Singaporean way of life? Second, does the content help them relate better to fellow citizens? Hence, the SCJ focuses on Singapore's history and institutions, social norms and community relations as the foundational content. We are continuously updating and finetuning the SCJ content to ensure that it achieves its objectives.
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