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Students’ perceptions and attitudes towards citizenship : identity, social cohesion and responsibilities as citizens
Author
Khong, Kay Lim
Supervisor
Ooi, Giok Ling
Ang, Cheng Guan
Abstract
National Education (NE) is citizenship education in Singapore. NE emphasises responsibilities and duties of her citizens. What students perceive as the responsibilities of citizens is therefore of utmost importance. In addition, due to the unique multi-ethnic multi-religious nature of the society, national identity and social cohesion are also important components of NE. The study investigated the perceptions and attitudes of students towards the three components.
Literature on NE and Social Studies (SS - a subject designed to teach NE), is abundant but there has been few studies of such from the perspective of students. It is pertinent that students' perceptions and attitudes towards the three components be considered to find out whether the implementation of NE has achieved its intended outcomes on the whole and whether the teaching of SS has achieved its aims.
The study also attempted to find out perceived reasons behind how students identify themselves, how they interact with members of other ethnic groups, and what they perceived as the responsibilities of citizens. Their perceptions and attitudes will determine how they are going to contribute to Singapore.
This study used a survey research. 169 Secondary Four Express students in my school were requested to answer questions of a survey questionnaire. Complementing the survey was telephone interviews of seven students. They answered questions of an interview schedule.
The main findings of the study are:
A large proportion of students did identify with Singapore but not because of a shared sense of nationhood. The students derived their attachment to Singapore in terms of what the country could offer such as good leaders, good policies, security, services and facilities.
A large proportion of students accept people of other ethnic and religious groups as schoolmates, workmates and neighbours. As for a closer knit level of family relations by marriage, fewer would accept people of other ethnic or religious groups.
The students' general attitude towards citizenship is positive but the perception of their responsibilities as citizens is narrowly confined to a ‘personally responsible‘ level. The small scale and exploratory nature of the research cannot claim to be representative in any way. However, the insights revealed are significant in three areas.
The interview data reveal the students' perceptions: there is fear of competition from foreign talents and a challenging future. The finding about students wanting to live overseas is alarming as this may lead to a drain on our manpower resource.
Recommendations for better social cohesion have been centred on providing opportunities for students' interaction. This research revealed that a common group goal can possibly become the leverage point for creating deeper understanding among the different ethnic groups.
Supporting what a researcher has found about the narrow conception of citizenship, this research suggests a future worrying situation of passive Singaporeans because Singapore’s future depends on what the younger generation is able to actively contribute to the country.
Literature on NE and Social Studies (SS - a subject designed to teach NE), is abundant but there has been few studies of such from the perspective of students. It is pertinent that students' perceptions and attitudes towards the three components be considered to find out whether the implementation of NE has achieved its intended outcomes on the whole and whether the teaching of SS has achieved its aims.
The study also attempted to find out perceived reasons behind how students identify themselves, how they interact with members of other ethnic groups, and what they perceived as the responsibilities of citizens. Their perceptions and attitudes will determine how they are going to contribute to Singapore.
This study used a survey research. 169 Secondary Four Express students in my school were requested to answer questions of a survey questionnaire. Complementing the survey was telephone interviews of seven students. They answered questions of an interview schedule.
The main findings of the study are:
A large proportion of students did identify with Singapore but not because of a shared sense of nationhood. The students derived their attachment to Singapore in terms of what the country could offer such as good leaders, good policies, security, services and facilities.
A large proportion of students accept people of other ethnic and religious groups as schoolmates, workmates and neighbours. As for a closer knit level of family relations by marriage, fewer would accept people of other ethnic or religious groups.
The students' general attitude towards citizenship is positive but the perception of their responsibilities as citizens is narrowly confined to a ‘personally responsible‘ level. The small scale and exploratory nature of the research cannot claim to be representative in any way. However, the insights revealed are significant in three areas.
The interview data reveal the students' perceptions: there is fear of competition from foreign talents and a challenging future. The finding about students wanting to live overseas is alarming as this may lead to a drain on our manpower resource.
Recommendations for better social cohesion have been centred on providing opportunities for students' interaction. This research revealed that a common group goal can possibly become the leverage point for creating deeper understanding among the different ethnic groups.
Supporting what a researcher has found about the narrow conception of citizenship, this research suggests a future worrying situation of passive Singaporeans because Singapore’s future depends on what the younger generation is able to actively contribute to the country.
Date Issued
2010
Call Number
LC1091 Kho
Date Submitted
2010