Member of Parliament Denise Phua on 27 January 2016:

“We have acquired the habit of feeding the sacred-cow practice of physically segregating students in different geographic settings whenever they are assessed to learn differently.

We promote a system where those who excel in academics are placed in the top academic schools; those who excel in Arts in School for Arts; those good at sports to the Sports School; and so on. An efficient system that sorts and places our students in geographically different location, meeting occasionally at school-driven projects or events.

But Madam Speaker, one of the most effective ways of keeping our country safe, secure and emphatic is to forge relationships of acceptance and trust amongst citizens of different abilities, faiths, and socio-economic status; during one’s growing up years, in natural settings. Trust and empathy cannot be built deeply when Singaporeans are physically segregated from young.

…

PILOT INCLUSIVE EDUCATION VILLAGES across Singapore to house students of different abilities and backgrounds. There is no better way to learn inclusion except to play, eat, interact and learn with others who are unlike yourself. Let those who are academically stronger learn via subject- banded classes; but design school campuses that allow diversity and vibrant social interactions.

Better still, make full use of these Education Villages to allow SkillsFuture learnings for adults to take place.

There is no better time to consider taking another path especially when enrolments are falling and some physical capacity can be found.”