Ignis Answers 1

So proud of everyone. =)

Rachel Tong

07IP06

These measures have been effective to a small extent.

Events like Total Defence Day and Racial Harmony Day, during which speeches from the ministry are being made in schools, where the events are commemorated/celebrated, have allowed students to understand the meaning of aspects of our country’s heritage. Membership for schools for the NHB also encourages students to attend exhibitions and activities (due to waivered admission fees), increasing their understanding of the country’s heritage. However, this only forms a basic understanding, and further knowledge can only be learnt with the cooperation of the students. In order to increase the understanding of the country’s heritage in students, efforts have been taken by the government and schools to offer places in workshops and events for which might enrich students (in the abovementioned aspect), however, without the willingness of the students to actively participate in these events, the efforts will be wasted.

Zhang Chunmeng

06IP06

Education in cultural heritage

Measures to increase Singaporean Heritage awareness include The Singapore HeritageFest, Chingay Parade of DreamS during CNY and so on. According to the survey conducted by Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, there has been a significant 20% rise in the Heritage Awareness Index. People visit heritage places like China Town, Little India more often, they also support Singapore government to invest in National museums and other places to preserve national heritage.

In NJC, our cultural heritage education include National education, “Culture mapping@ Bukit Timah” project, amazing race during the orientation and visit to National museum, ect. These measures are effective in the sense that when Singaporeans are involved in exploring or even map out the cultural heritage in Singapore, they gain a more complete understanding about their country. They also realize their responsibility to protect the heritage increase the awareness of appreciating and protecting cultural heritage among other Singaporeans.

Reference:

http://www.mica.gov.sg/pressroom/press_070718.htm

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/288922/1/.html

Kok Chee Hao

08S08

The education system is an effective measure to increase student's understanding of the country's heritage. For example, in Singapore, students are taught a compulsory subject such as social studies or an optional subject like History of Southeast Asia and Malaya in 'O' levels. They gain insight knowledge of the past history of Singapore, appreciate the beautiful fact, and foster a patriotism and nationalism towards our country's heritage. In addition, schools also organize tours to the national museum to see artifacts, documentaries, historical monuments to learn about our past time periods like the Japanese Occupation In WWII, the struggle for independence during post-war periods and the pursuit of sustained development of economic growth of the country. Hence, the education system increases the awareness of students to the country's heritage and therefore, they will understand better about about their roots.

Goh Wei Yang Brian (16)

07S08

How effective have these measures been in increasing student’s understanding of country’s heritage?

In the recent years, the Singapore Government have taken a change in focus onto promoting Singapore heritage to the youths of Singapore. Such measures include competition, tours and school base activities. Usually, the implementation of measures involves 3 stages – “promotion”, “recognition”, and “understanding”. For Singapore, it seems to be well in the second stage. After all, it just started its plan to raise students’ understanding. As shown in survey done by companies, Singapore youths lack the basic foundation of their heritage, yet with these measures, the situation seems to be improving, which is a great sign. In the short run, such measures seem rather ineffective. However, in the long run, the ends should justify its means.

Faris Bin Ridzuan

07S14

Singapore, being a multiracial country has certainly accomplished its goals in heightening the level of tolerance and mutual understanding between cultures. She has also made the public aware of its cultural diversity and the migrant origins of its populace to highlight how Singapore’s diversity has made Singapore the unique city that it is. Yet, Singapore has yet to prove how effective and profound the impacts left by government programs in increasing cultural awareness. The recent racist blogs proved an important point, that though one may increase cultural awareness, what is truly important? Cultural awareness per se, callous in nature, or true racial harmony? Singapore should truly work towards the latter as a clear-headed goal and publicise this aim.

Vivien Leung

07A02

With particular reference to the Singaporean Education System, no doubt a certain section of the syllabus [Social Studies] is allocated to cultivating students’ interest and awareness regarding the country’s cultural background and history. E.g.. Civics and Moral Education is made compulsory in all schools so as to somewhat ensure a minimal understanding of Singapore’s ethnic issues. However, owing to modernization and increasing globalization forces, the country is also not excluded in the deepening apathy and loss of an integral cultural image. For our students, the tendency is to view the government as overly emphasizing practical results rather than the preservation of heritage. The competing demands for space, funds as well as time however, can be managed if there is made available perfect information and even more channels for contributions and work done in cultural fields. Hopefully, Singapore would continue its work in developing its unique integral cultural heritage.

Lee Hui Ying

08S14

I feel that the efforts to promote awareness among the students about our cultural heritage have limited successes. In terms of educating students about Singapore’s cultural heritage through textbooks in schools, this is implemented only in the earlier education. Although National Education is emphasized in every school today, many students view activities related to our cultural heritage mechanical and hardly understand the importance of them. I personally feel that visiting museums is very effective to intrigue students about our cultural heritage because students can be exposed to varied elements of our cultural heritage which they might have never come across in textbooks or in schools.

Shirley Lee

08A02

Measures to increase cultural awareness in students have always been part of education. During primary and secondary school in the form of the compulsory topic social studies, and this compulsory addition into the education system effectively helps students in making the effort to understand the country’s heritage In tertiary education though, the onus falls on the students themselves to find out more than the basic knowledge of sport’s heritage already introduced to them, and I find measures at this stage inefficient, almost non-existent.

Ha Quang Son (Shawn)

07S20

Measures taken by the government in ensuring cultural tolerance amongst different racial groups and promoting appreciation of local history have been largely effective annual events such as Racial harmony day have indeed fostered a strong bond amongst citizens from different cultural and religious backgrounds and instilled the sense of social understanding. Moreover, our very own heritage and historical knowledge have been spread to the masses by frequent campaigns and free tours initiated by local museums and National Heritage Board.