FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING
“The world we live in is rapidly changing. Globalisation,
social and cultural shifts, and the changing demographics
in Singapore can all have unsettling effects. People look
for something to hold fast to. It prompts us to ask, “What
anchors us as Singaporeans?” “How can we imbue in
students a sense of identity and rootedness?”, and “What
are the shared values and traditions that bind generations
of Singaporeans?
Each generation sees themselves in a particular way, and
of course, each generation thinks that the next generation
has sort of ruined something. But each generation has its
own sense of identity.”
Highlights of Opening Remarks
by Second Minister For
Education, Ms. Indranee Rajah,
at the Arts Education Conference 2018
DEVELOPING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
THROUGH THE ARTS
“
Arts education is not just about recalling facts of artists
or performances. The focus has shifted from skills and
knowledge acquisition to a more process-oriented, inquiry-
based approach to learning that allows the students’ voice
to be heard.”
“Students are given time and space to investigate and play;
to make sense of the sounds, gestures, visual expressions,
and images around them. By engaging in discussions
about artists’ inspirations, performers’ interpretations
and audiences’ receptions, they learn to value different
perspectives, appreciate diversity and respect for others.”
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CONNECTIONS ACROSS DISCIPLINES
“The world we live in does not exist in clear
compartmentalised segments. Similarly, the learning of
subjects should cut across multiple disciplines. We will
gift to our students a lifelong legacy, especially when the
student is able to see the connections among subjects
and between disciplines, and make meaning of the world
around him/her.
We must provide more opportunities for learning that
cuts across disciplines, stimulates students’ creativity,
and develop their ability to problem-solve in different
contexts.”
NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS
“The partnerships with our art museums as well as with
arts organisations expand students’ repertoire of arts
experiences; they are nurtured both as artists as well as
an audience. For the arts fraternity, such professional
exchange, networks and partnerships, builds professional
capital that enrich teaching and learning.”
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