Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a press statement that our education policies and curriculum will remain anchored on Singapore’s prevailing family values and social norms.
These include the family as the cornerstone of our social fabric, and marriage between a man and a woman, the statement said.
The statement was made in response to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech at the National Day Rally on 21 August in which he said that s377A would be repealed. The Prime Minister also assured Singaporeans that the current definition on marriage and family would be maintained.
No place for foreign interference
“Singapore’s family and social norms must continue to be determined by Singaporeans. Foreign institutions and foreigners should respect these norms, and not use our educational institutions as platforms for their own agendas.”
Sexuality education to be secular based on traditional values
The statement also said that sexuality education taught in our educational institutions will remain secular, based on traditional values, and sensitive to the multiracial and multireligious make-up of our society.
All students will learn and practice values such as mutual understanding, respect, and empathy for everyone.
“Bullying and cancel culture must not take root in our educational institutions and society. Our educational institutions will continue to partner parents to guide our children, and provide counselling and socio-emotional support to all students according to their needs,” MOE said.
In his NDR speech, PM Lee said that even as s377A is repealed, the Government will uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage.” Under the law, only marriages between one man and one woman are recognised in Singapore. Many national policies rely upon this definition of marriage – including public housing, education, adoption rules, advertising standards, film classification. The Government has no intention of changing the definition of marriage, nor these policies,” he said.
