Proposal for Chinese Dialects as Electives for Primary and Secondary School Students

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education whether Chinese dialects can be introduced as an elective as part of the (i) current conversational Chinese enrichment programme for students in primary and secondary schools and (ii) modular foreign languages programme pilot at the secondary level.

Mr Speaker, bilingualism is the cornerstone of Singapore's education system. Our focus remains on developing students' proficiency in English and their Mother Tongue Languages. There are currently no plans to introduce Chinese dialects as an elective in our schools. Students who are interested in learning dialects can explore classes organised by the Chinese clan associations.

Thank you, Speaker. Just one supplementary question for the Minister of State. I do recognise that quite a number of the clan associations do conduct such classes to help to promote certain dialects for their respective dialect groups. But at the same time, just over the weekend, I had the pleasure, alongside other Members, of attending a certain dialect group's dinner, where quite a few actually lamented that the younger generation, right now, cannot speak the dialect at all.

So, in that spirit, just as how we, perhaps, have certain economic incentives to learn certain foreign languages, could we also not have pilots where it need not be an examinable subject, but it could be one where we can have it as an elective to better promote the understanding of a crucial part of our cultural identity?

We recognise that Chinese dialects are part of the Singapore Chinese culture and heritage, and we welcome the clans' efforts to do so, even as the Government maintains our existing language policy. Our focus continues to be on building up competency and proficiency in English language as well as the Mother Tongue Languages.

Our students, who are curious and interested in learning Chinese dialects, apart from approaching the Chinese clan associations, can also go online. There is a huge repertoire of resources that are available for self-directed learning.