1. What do you see as the main value and purpose of social studies education in Singapore?

Social Studies in Singapore is often viewed as a vehicle for National Education, for indoctrination of the national agenda, for state propaganda, to build National Identity.

Nothing wrong with that - try putting yourself in the shoes of the state. Civil / civics education is a vital way to ensure the longetivity of your state and rule.

Beyond the skepticism and cynicism that pervades a Singapore citizentry tired of NE indoctrination, a more enlightened way of viewing SS education is that of equipping thought skills essential for a global citizen to survive and makes sense of the world. Singapore is unique in its position in the world, the crossroads between civilisations (America-China, Chinese-Malay-Indian, Asia-Europe, Muslim-Buddhist-Taoist-Christian, Socialist-Democratic), and how can Singaporeans make sense of their identity in such a fluid society, how can Singaporeans make sense of the multiple truth claims emanating from all branches of society?

SS education helps Singaporeans make sense of who they are, where they are, and what the society claim them to be. Whether the message from the state in civics education, whether the message from the global press, whether the message from other countries, from races, ethnics and people different from us, SS helps in equipping the Singaporean citizentry the thought skills needed to negotiate their identity in a world of multiple truth claims. And they can then assess for themselves, in what ways are the truth claims about Singapore's national identity relevant, and what does it mean for us to be a Singaporean, born bred and with a red passport with Majulah Singapura printed on it.

That's the role of SS education. The thinking skills to help one make sense of who they are, where they are, and what the society claim them to be.