HISTORY SYLLABUS OF SCHOOLS

Mr S Iswaran asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made on the introduction of a South Asian Studies programme at the National University of Singapore.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Dr Aline Wong announced in Parliament in January 1998 that NUS had found it feasible to start the South Asian Studies Programme (SASP) from the Academic Year 1999/2000.

NUS is making good progress in the preparations and will be ready to launch the SASP from July 1999. Let me update Members on the key steps in the preparations.

First, the curriculum. A committee comprising historians, economists, political scientists and sociologists started developing the curriculum from late 1997. They have sought the advice and inputs from local and international experts on South Asia. The draft curriculum is now ready and will be finalised by the end of this year, after getting feedback, including feedback from potential students.

Second, the recruitment of staff. The Programme has provisions for five full time academic staff. NUS is currently in the process of identifying and attracting good scholars to take up these teaching positions. Advertisements have been placed in leading journals and academic magazines in South Asia, UK, USA and Australia. NUS intends to hold recruitment visits to these regions later this year. It expects these posts to be filled by early 1999.

Third, marketing. NUS will be conducting a series of publicity activities, including seminars and public talks, to promote the Programme from January and June 1999.

Mr Shriniwas Rai asked the Minister for Education if he will consider reviewing the History syllabus of schools to give greater emphasis to post-war history of Singapore.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Presently, pupils at the lower secondary level are taught Singapore's history from the colonial era till our achievement of nationhood in 1965. At the upper secondary level, pupils learn about post-war constitutional developments in Singapore till the formation of Malaysia in 1963. Pre-university students study political developments till the achievement of self-government in 1959.

The History and Social Studies are currently being revised to give greater emphasis to Singapore's struggles against colonialism, communism and communalism. The content will also include the achievements and constraints Singapore experienced in the early years of nation-building. These revised syllabuses will be implemented from year 2000 onwards.