SHARED VALUES

Mr Shriniwas Rai asked the Minister for Education whether the Government will give priority to the inclusion of shared values as a component of national education.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: The concept of Shared Values was first mooted by PM Goh in the late 1980s as a way for us to develop a Singaporean identity. The five Shared Values were then adopted in Parliament in 1993 after a nation-wide discussion and debate.

The Shared Values are:

• Nation before community and society above self.

• Family as the basic unit of society.

• Community support and respect for the individual

• Consensus not conflict.

• Racial and religious harmony.

The Shared Values are an integral part of National Education. As National Education is about developing responsible citizenship and a sense of rootedness in young Singaporeans, the Shared Values fit naturally into National Education.

The Six National Education messages are:

• Singapore is our homeland; this is where we belong. We want to keep our heritage and our way of life.

• We must preserve racial and religious harmony. Though many races, languages, religions and cultures, we pursue one destiny.

• We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility. This means opportunity for all, according to their ability and effort.

• No one owes Singapore a living. We must find our own way to survive and prosper.

• We must ourselves defend Singapore. No one else is responsible for our security and well-being.

• We have confidence in our future. United, determined and well-prepared, we shall build a bright future for ourselves.