Aligning Character and Citizenship Education Curriculum with Model in UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry has considered amending the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum to be aligned with the social model of disability as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and (b) if not, why not.

Singapore’s approach to enabling persons with disabilities in our national roadmaps to build an inclusive society, the Enabling Masterplans, is substantively aligned with the social model of disability in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). In developing our policies and laws, we seek to remove societal barriers in our local context that could hinder persons with disabilities from leading fulfilling lives.

In line with this approach, the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum develops students to be empathetic, sensitive and respectful to all, including those with Special Education Needs (SEN) or disabilities. Beyond the classroom, this is reinforced through community service and Values in Action learning experiences.

Students from General Education and Special Education (SPED) schools also have opportunities to learn, play and work together through co-curricular activities, sports and other curricular programmes. The partnerships help students to develop the sensitivity and awareness towards the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of those who are different from them. These partnerships also enhance staff capacity through professional exchange and sharing of good practices on building an inclusive culture in school.