SINGAPORE: The first time the concept of war became real to me was in the early 90s, when I, as a Primary Five student, learnt that Iraq invaded the smaller, oil-rich country of Kuwait. I am foggy on the details, but I recall my then form teacher bringing in the television on wheels to show us things pertaining to the war.

Later that day my father took me to a minimart my aunty ran to stock up on rations. My takeaway was that what happened on the other side of the world could affect me here in Singapore.

Years later, when I became a parent, I thought it was brave of my teacher to tell us about the war. Is 11 too young to be told these things? Might it scare the little ones? What if parents feel the school overstepped its boundaries?

The past few weeks, these thoughts have resurfaced alongside concerns voiced by parents after learning that schools were teaching students about the Israel-Hamas conflict, as part of the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) syllabus. The lessons are tailored accordingly for upper primary and secondary school students.

Some parents raised concerns that students were being presented with a narrative that was not neutral and lacked historical context of the wider conflict in the region that dates back centuries.

In response, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing said that the lessons were aimed at helping students understand their own emotions and empathise with others; reflect on safeguarding cohesion in a multiracial society; learn how to verify information sources; and appreciate diverse views.

He added in parliament on Monday (Mar 4) that the lesson content had been misrepresented on social media, leading to some teachers receiving abusive comments online. Nonetheless, the lessons on the Gaza war will be further customised for different age groups, and teachers will be given more support in conducting them.

The nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict makes crafting any educational package about it challenging. But not addressing it in the classroom could be seen as insufficient, or worse, interpreted as choosing one side.

CRITICAL THINKING IN AN AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

While it’s undeniable that parents play a significant role in shaping their children’s thoughts, schools also have a crucial responsibility: To impart the skill of critical thinking in an age of social media.

In May 2023, New Jersey became the first state in the United States to require that students learn media literacy skills. Students at all pre-university levels will learn how information is produced and spread on the internet, the difference between facts and opinions, and the ethics of creating and sharing information online.

More broadly, students need to develop what educators call “global competence”. They must be open to a variety of viewpoints, have the ability to communicate across cultural lines and be inclined to contribute to a greater good.

The zeitgeist of today’s interconnected world demands that schools equip students with a global perspective, ensuring that education on world issues is not just an elective but a cornerstone of their learning experience.

When we consider generative AI and the sheer speed of news spread these days, it becomes even more urgent and imperative that school instruction like that of New Jersey’s becomes part of the mainstay.

Source

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/cce-lesson-israel-hamas-conflict-moe-education-world-affairs-social-media-4172526