Academic Grades or Integrated Developing? by Irene

Source:
Lee, S. K. (2010, March 12). Well done, MOE. Straits Times. Retrieved March 12, 2010, from: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_500943.html

The Original Article:

Mar 12, 2010
Well done, MOE

THE Ministry of Education's (MOE) announcement last Wednesday ("Schools to develop 'soft skills'") that greater emphasis will be placed on physical education, art and music must have come as a breath of fresh air to all who believe in an integrated and holistic approach to education.

The inclusion of PE, in particular, as part of the soft skills to be developed is going to pay big dividends in the future. The fringe benefits, such as developing self-esteem and picking up values like teamwork, fair play and a can-do spirit, as mentioned by Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, will no doubt stand students in good stead as active citizens of this global city.

Under a competent PE teacher, children in their formative years could gradually internalise the values of physical activity and other healthy living habits.

Not only must we have more specialist PE teachers, but we must also ensure that they are fully qualified to teach the subject.

The MOE has raised the status of PE yet another notch. I join the PE fraternity in congratulating it for the splendid effort.

I refer to the ST Forum 'Well done, MOE' written by Lee Seck Kay. In this article, the author expressed his appreciation for MOE's decision that physical education, art and music will weigh more in education.
I agree with Mr. Lim that MOE did a good decision on improving students' integrated education. To improve other skills besides academic knowledge is always a difficult target not only for students, parents as well as schools in Singapore, but also that in China. It is not because students do not want to learn other useful stills, on the contrary, comparing with academic courses, they prefer to practice other skills like sports, painting and musical instrument; parents do not hope to let their children be all round people; or schools are not willing to give students the chance to keep an open mind on benefieial activities. It is because the college entrance exam does not allowed them to do so. The college entrance exam only tests students academic knowledge, which forces students must to spend most of their time in studing academic courses. However, still now we cannot find another suitable method to replace the college entrance exam based on the situation of China. But the education system of Singapore is different from China. If the MOE can reform Singapore's education system and change it into integrated education, it will really benefit students as well as the whole country a lot. In addition, I also agree with Mr. Lim that the PE can develop students' confidence, encourge cooperation and fair competition among students, and the enough good PE teachers are necessary.