National Identity

I agree that education has succeeded in fostering a positive sense of national identity. To both the citizens of Singapore and international bodies, a strong national identity of Singapore would be the multiracial society we have and still being able to live harmoniously with one another. From the 1960s, various schemes were introduced in bid to bring together students from the different language streams. One such scheme was the integrated schools, whereby schools from difference language streams were brought together on one compound and ran by one administration. The first integrated government school was Bukit Panjang Government High School, which managed to bring together the English and Chinese streams under one roof. Also, measures were taken to place the different language streams on equal footing, for example, by introducing common examinations. Before the scheme was introduced, there was no universal education for children of all races and background, resulting in lesser children attending schools then. However, with the scheme introduced, children of all races and backgrounds can grow and learn together in harmony, without any form of biasness.
The national pledge recited in school daily by both teachers and students is also another way of fostering the same national identity. It is stated in the pledge that 'we, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion'. This is said at the beginning of the pledge, emphasising its importance. The pledge would have been explained by teachers when students first entered primary school and with the constant recitation of the pledge, it is inevitable for the pledge to be deeply engraved in our minds, and the pledge, in our hearts, reciting it every morning, genuinely pledging to abide by it.
In Singapore, moral and national education is taught to students throughout the whole of their primary school and secondary school lives. According to the revised Moral and National Education Curriculum Guide published in June 2012, one of the aims stated for the subject is to develop a recognition of identity. On 13 October 2010, Chief Executive Donald Tsang stated in the "Policy Address 2010-2011" that moral and national education would replace the current moral and civic education in order to 'strengthen national education'. This shows how national identity is a big part of education and that the government is constantly trying to further improve the lessons, in order to include more national education related topics, to inculcate a positive national identity in the students from a young age.