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Don’t take racial, religious harmony ‘for granted’

SINGAPORE — Schools should design and plan daily learning activities where students of different races could form teams, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

Mr Heng watching a demonstration of the One People application by a Republic Polytechnic student. Photo: Amanda Lee

Mr Heng watching a demonstration of the One People application by a Republic Polytechnic student. Photo: Amanda Lee

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SINGAPORE — Schools should design and plan daily learning activities where students of different races could form teams, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

Speaking at Pioneer Secondary School, as schools across the country marked Racial Harmony Day, Mr Heng noted that the shared experience of working with members from different classes during co-curricular activities have helped to build common interests and friendships among youths of different races.

Mr Heng added: “This shared, common space must be nurtured and cherished, to develop deep understanding of, and respect for, the different cultures and traditions that are part of our national identity. That is why it is important for schools to design and plan daily learning and groupings in mixed teams.”

A study co-created by the Institute of Policy Studies and OnePeople.sg released on Thursday found more than one in two Singaporeans do not have a close friend of another race.

Mr Heng noted that many schools have programmes within their curriculum to encourage students to learn and appreciate the cultures and traditions of others around them.

At Pioneer Secondary, for example, students share their understanding of racial harmony with their peers and friends at a learning carnival held yesterday, after they were asked to see the evolution of Singapore’s identity through the lenses of the older generation.

The school has also piloted a new smartphone application, called One People, aimed at helping youths understand each other’s cultural practices and beliefs.

Players will plan and decide how to build a virtual community made up of different races that will live in harmony. They will also be asked questions on traditions such as Chinese weddings and the items related to it. The developers, students from Republic Polytechnic and OnePeople.sg, hoped that players will appreciate the cultures and traditions by playing the game.

Mr Heng reminded students that the racial and religious harmony that Singaporeans have currently should not be taken for granted. “This happy state of affairs did not come about by chance,” he said. “It is the result of sustained and conscious efforts by Singaporeans from all backgrounds to nurture a harmonious society.”

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