ABSTRACT
This article examines the conception of and procedures for moral education in Singapore’s schools. The unique socio-political framework is seen as the key to moral education in Singapore; it is a situation of considerable complexity – a high degree of pluralism coupled with rapid urbanization and industrialization. The government seeing its task as one of managing diversity while promoting economic growth uses ethnic pride and Asian cultural tradition as a mobilizing force; a preference for de-politicization of the electorate finds a parallel in a lack of political education in the schools. However, the many ambiguities and contradictions in these policies appear not to be appreciated and pose problems for the future. The author’s analysis of recent government reports and curricular trends reveals the serious shortcomings consequent upon the failure to deal adequately with the problems posed for moral education in a plural society.
