THE Singapore Kindness Movement believes that character and values education is vital for schools if children are to grow up as socially responsible and considerate citizens (‘Schools to stress values and character-building’; last Friday).

A constant worry is that children appear to be less considerate to others and are less gracious. We have tried to address this through school programmes about spreading kindness.

We support the character and citizenship education curriculum the Education Ministry envisages. Such an education is imperative in cultivating a more gracious and considerate society.

We are heartened that Education Minister Heng Swee Keat stressed that civics and moral education should not make way for remedial lessons, and should instead be given equal weight as other core subjects.

While we understand the anxieties parents have regarding their children’s grades, we believe a more holistic education will place children in a better position to become kinder and more confident and considerate towards others.

With social structures breaking down, the level of education developing and population ageing, the need for focusing on these values has never been more pertinent.

In the long run, the time committed by schools and parents to impress this upon children will contribute to nation-building and raise our society’s standards of social responsibility and behaviour.

William Wan
General Secretary
Singapore Kindness Movement