Inaugural China-Quotient Teachers’ Forum
– Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat shared with 600 educators the importance of preparing Singaporean youths to be Future-ready and China-savvy
Singapore – For the first time, educators from upper primary right up to pre-university levels, who have interests in contemporary China developments came together to learn about the importance of preparing Singaporean youths to be Future-ready and China-savvy.
A joint collaboration between Pioneer Junior College and Business China, with assistance from Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Planning & Development Division, this inaugural China-Quotient Teachers’ Forum is a timely platform to equip educators with deeper understanding of the forces and factors shaping China’s rise as it is projected to be the world’s largest economy by year 2017; and more importantly, the relevance of this to Singapore. Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat graced the Forum themed “Preparing Singaporean Youths to be Future-ready and China-savvy”, as the Guest-of-Honour and addressed the participants in a keynote speech.
In his speech, Mr Heng urged all teachers to be forward and outward looking and to equip our next generation to be highly skilled and socially responsible individuals. He encouraged teachers to identify and encourage students with the aptitude and interests to further develop their China-competencies, so as to maintain our position as the bridge between China and the West, in a bid to ensure Singapore’s sustained development. This key message echoed the Ministry of Education’s initiatives of ‘21st Century Skills’ and ‘Teach Less, Learn More’, which are part of the MOE’s Character and Citizenship Curriculum (CCE) established in 2011. The CCE comprises units such as national education, as well as global citizenry competencies, which are the key thrusts of a values-driven education.
Mr Heng was then joined by veteran international investor Mr Jim Rogers to discuss the theme further in a panel discussion moderated by CEO of Business China, Ms Low Yen Ling. They shared how the youths should better position themselves and leverage on the close Singapore-China bilateral relations to forge closer understanding and cooperation in the future.
Speaking on his personal conviction and vision for his two daughters to master the Chinese language, Mr Rogers said: “We moved to Singapore partly because of its education system for my children. Mandarin will perhaps be the most important language in their lifetime so we want them to speak fluent Mandarin and to know Asia. We also wanted a rigorous, demanding, and advanced education for them. So far we have been pleased that my children are getting great preparation for the 21st Century.”
The event also saw the official launch of the ‘China-Quotient Educators’ Resource Package’ by Minister Heng. A joint-initiative by PJC and Business China, this teaching pack makes it easier for teachers and students of upper primary to pre-university level to impart knowledge on critical thinking, National Education values and leadership competencies. It is hoped that with these experiential lessons and group activities, students can better understand the rationale behind policies and better appreciate the exigency of these to Singapore’s ability to thrive in the future.
The Resource Package comprises three lesson plans. In Lesson 1: Why China?, students reflect upon the need of being globally-savvy and China-ready in the 21st century. Lesson 2: Knowing China helps students to acquire general knowledge on modern China. Lesson 3: Engaging China aims to provide a deeper understanding among students on the impact of China’s rise and the implications for Singapore.
“Instead of a text book, it (the Resource Package) should serve as a leaderboard for users to further explore and keep pace with the rapid and ever-changing developments of China,” said Ms Low.
Quoting Plato the famed Greek philosopher, Mrs Tan- Kek Lee Yong, Principal of PJC, remarked that, ’The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life. As educators of the 21st century, we are responsible for the success of students under our charge, that they should not only be anchored to the right values from the start, but to know that they should constantly align their perspectives with the evolving global realities. This must form the basis of their learning.”
Chairman of Business China, Mr Chua Thian Poh, said: “This Forum is one of the many platforms that Business China initiates to promote understanding of the Chinese language and culture in multi-cultural Singapore. As China’s society is constantly evolving, it is necessary for us to always keep up-to-date of her developments and its relevance to Singapore. Business China hopes to become the nexus to which corporations and organisations will turn to for China-related expertise.”
Some 600 educators and school leaders from upper primary to pre-university level institutions, including many non-Chinese teachers, as well as leaders from the Chinese educational and cultural communities also attended the Forum which was conducted in English.
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For further enquiries, please contact:-
Ooh Yi Hui (Ms)
Associate (Corporate Communication)
Business China
Tel: (65) 6213 0410
Email: yihui@businesschina.org.sg
Nigel Kaw (Mr)
GP Teacher, English Department
SH, Corporate Communications
Pioneer Junior College
Tel: (65) 6564 6878 Ext: 264
Email: nigel_kaw_jon_kuang@moe.edu.sg
Jane Lee Ee Lei (Ms)
HOD, Project Work Department
Junior College
Tel: (65) 6564 6878 Ext: 218
Email: lee_ee_lei_jane@moe.edu.sg
About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by our Patron, former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. We are a platform integrating language, economic and cultural elements. Our mission is to nurture an inclusive bilingual and bicultural group of Singaporeans through extensive use of the Chinese language as the medium of communication, so as to sustain our multi-cultural heritage, and to develop a cultural and economic bridge linking the world and China.
For more information, please visit www.businesschina.org.sg/en.
About Pioneer Junior College
Established in 2000, Pioneer Junior College (PJC) aims to nurture a community of committed learners and compassionate leaders through its vision of ‘Always Serving, Always Learning’. Committed to providing quality education through its twin pillars of education; Academic Excellence and Character Development, PJC has attained the School Distinction Award in 2010, as well as two Sustained Achievement Awards for Academic Value-Added and Aesthetics since 2009. The college is also a recipient of the Outstanding Development Award for National Education in 2012. The achievements are testament to PJC’s belief that every student deserves an all-rounded education.
For more information, visit www.pioneerjc.moe.edu.sg.