MORAL EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE - A CRITICAL-APPRAISAL

Moral education in Singapore, ever since political independence, has b een pragmatically aimed at forging together, by promoting shared value s, the four major racial and cultural communities which at various sta ges had threatened to polarise. It has also been used for preserving a cultural and national identity against the perceived erosion of Asian roots by Western education. Social cohesion and moral ballast have be en seen as instrumental towards a strong economy, including the attrac tion of foreign investors. In these ways, moral education has been reg arded as a means for nation-building. In its implementation, it has be en considered necessary to teach Asian values and preserve cultural id entities via transmission of the mother tongues of the respective race s. Religions have also been recognised as being important for moral ba llast and effectiveness. This article surveys the implementation of th ese policies in Singaporean education, and at the same time indicates areas of possible tension and internal contradiction, and where questi onable assumptions may have been made. Explanations are suggested for the perceived ineffectiveness in cultural and moral transmission. Stre ngths of the policies are also indicated and appraised.