Social Studies and National Education
Discover how Social Studies and National Education develop informed and active citizens through curriculum, field-based learning, and key national events.
The Social Studies curriculum helps students to grow in knowledge, develop skills and learn values through examining issues that are of concern to our society and the world in which we live. The Social Studies syllabus aims to develop informed, concerned and participative citizens.
Drawing on aspects of society that are of meaning and interest to the students, Social Studies seeks to ignite students’ curiosity to inquire into real-world issues that concern their lives. Through inquiry and authentic learning experiences, Social Studies helps students to attain relevant knowledge and understanding about these issues, develop critical and reflective thinking skills and appreciate multiple perspectives.
Social Studies: Curriculum at a Glance
Level | Key Understanding | Inquiry Focus |
P1 | Knowing Myself, Others and My Surroundings | Who am I in relation to the people and places around me? |
P2 | Coming Together as a Nation | What unites the people in Singapore as a nation? |
P3 | Understanding Singapore’s Environment and Challenges | What is Singapore’s environment like and how do we overcome the challenges in the past? |
P4 | Understanding Our Past | How is life in Singapore today shaped by what happened in the past? |
P5 | Part 1: Understanding Singapore’s Development as a Nation Part 2: Understanding Southeast Asia’s Diversity and Interconnectedness | How has Singapore developed as a nation since its independence? What makes up Southeast Asia and how are the countries interconnected? |
P6 | Understanding Features and Legacies of Civilisations | How are the legacies of civilisations seen in our lives today? |
Field-based Learning Experiences across Levels
Field-based Learning (FbL) refers to learning that extends beyond the walls of the classroom where students are exposed to authentic real-world settings. It allows students to contextualise their learning experiences, enabling the relational learning of concepts and content.
As part of engaging students in inquiry-based learning, FbL will also motivate and sustain their interest in the subject matter as students learn to explore the surroundings, construct new knowledge and make connections to the topic being studied. In MGS, all pupils will experience field-based learning as part of the Social Studies curriculum. The learning journey will provide the students opportunities to cultivate and enact 21 CC competencies namely citizenship and collaboration.
National Education
National Education is anchored on the following citizenship dispositions: a sense of belonging, a sense of reality, a sense of hope, and the will to act. These dispositions, together with knowledge, skills and values gained from Social Studies, will help students become citizens who are informed, concerned and participative.
The school also promotes Citizenship Education through the commemoration of the 4 core NE events - Total Defence Day, International Friendship Day, Racial Harmony Day and National Day. Citizenship Education encompasses National Education and is anchored in Social Studies in preparing our pupils to be informed, concerned and participative citizens.