Develop children's social & emotional skills and effect 'generational shift' away from grades-based competition: Desmond Lee

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will be prioritising helping students develop social and emotional skills and effect a “generational shift” towards a passion for learning and away from grades-based competition.

The shift was announced by Education Minister Desmond Lee on Jul. 8 at Oasis Primary School in Punggol, his first school visit since his appointment as education minister, The Straits Times reported.

Lee said: “All these social-emotional skills can be more important than just your academic hard knowledge.”

While at the school, he observed Primary 4 English and art lessons and how social-emotional skills are integrated into these subjects.

Pupils during English classes shared how they would feel if they faced discrimination.

The discussion was based on the popular young adult book "Wonder", about a boy with facial deformities.

During art lesson, pupils worked in groups to come up with a superhero logo based on values.

Lee added that Artificial intelligence (AI) tools cannot supplant learning but enable it, and young people need to develop judgment, reasoning abilities and foundational knowledge,

He cited the example of how young lawyers can use AI to draft submissions.

However, only those with proper training and experience are able to assess and improve on the AI output.

Lee said it is important to foster curiosity and social-emotional skills in children, while preparing them for an AI-pervasive future.

This includes teaching children about what AI is and its limits.

At the MOE Kindergarten (MK) located at Oasis Primary School, Lee also said there is a need to strengthen the transition from pre-school to primary school, in particular, through MKs.

He said: “Our pre-school landscape is diverse and rich, and we are the better off for it. But MKs allow an opportunity to test-bed ideas for us to be able to look at enhancements to pre-school pedagogies.”

He noted that many parents appreciate MKs in primary schools, as many pre-schoolers can attend primary schools near their homes.

An MOE spokesperson said the ministry plans to open 60 MKs by 2029.

Top photo via Desmond Lee Facebook