Singapore’s education system must adapt to foster critical skills such as discernment, problem-solving, and creative communication in the age of artificial intelligence, said Minister of State for Education Jasmin Lau during a public engagement session on July 26. The event, held at SPH Media’s News Centre in Toa Payoh and organised by Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao with support from the Ministry of Education (MOE), focused on the future of education amid growing AI technologies.
Lau highlighted that while these skills are currently taught through character and citizenship education, there is a need to re-evaluate how they are cultivated and assessed in schools. “We need to be more flexible and give students the opportunity to practise,” Lau said in Mandarin. She stressed that such opportunities would prepare students to demonstrate these qualities effectively when they enter the workforce.
One major concern raised by Lau was the potential erosion of human communication and relationships due to an overreliance on AI. She noted a shift in how children seek information, from asking parents and engaging in meaningful conversations to turning directly to AI for answers. “Before we know it, our entire society will be relying on AI for communication, and we will lose a lot – we just do not realise how much yet,” Lau warned. She urged educators to better understand this dynamic and explore improvements in teaching methods.
The session also addressed broader issues around supporting the holistic development of children. About 80 members of the public, including parents, teachers, and students, participated and discussed challenges such as the emphasis on academic grades, barriers in co-curricular activities, and the early introduction of tuition classes. Some attendees called for a ban on tuition for children who have not yet started primary school, while others pointed out that some co-curricular activities have high entry thresholds that discourage participation.
Counsellor Chong Ee Jay, who joined Lau on a panel, acknowledged the tension parents face between focusing on academic performance and nurturing their children's emotional and social well-being. This challenge is heightened in households where both parents work full-time and have limited time for their children, he said. Chong described the difficult balance parents try to strike, questioning whether to prioritise homework completion or conversations about daily school experiences.
MOE’s deputy director-general of education (curriculum), Sng Cher Wei, complemented this view by emphasising the importance of school as a safe environment where students can experience and learn from failure. “As parents, we should not try to solve their problems for them or shield them from failure,” Sng said. He stressed that experiencing setbacks before entering the workforce helps students develop resilience and adaptability.
“If we consciously create an environment where children can grow up without fearing failure – and without seeing failure as an irreversible situation – I believe they will develop well in the long run,” Sng added.
Lau is scheduled to assume the role of Acting Manpower Minister on July 27. The engagement session marks part of ongoing efforts to involve the community in shaping Singapore’s educational strategies in response to technological and societal changes.