Forum: Parents and schools have different roles to play in teaching children values

I recently came across the curriculum of a pre-school centre, which included literacy, numeracy, creativity and general knowledge. But one subject caught my attention – moral values.

What exactly are schools expected to teach when it comes to moral values? Schools and parents are both responsible for shaping a child’s character, but how should those roles be balanced?

As parents, we trust schools to nurture curiosity and learning. As an educator and a parent, I understand how learning happens when prior knowledge is triggered, leading to reflection and understanding.

While schools can spark this growth, parents lay the foundation for values like respect and responsibility.

Some of my greatest teachers have been outside the classroom. My mother taught me essential life skills – how to eat well, when to rest and how to face life’s challenges. My father, a hard-working bus driver, taught me responsibility and filial piety through his daily example of work and dedication to family.

My wife, through patience and care, has taught me lessons in emotional intelligence.

My children, each in their own way, have been teachers to me. Yan Jun introduced me to ice-skating and music, sparking my appreciation for composers like John Williams and Joe Hisaishi.

Yan Cheng taught me practical skills like knot-tying for sailing, a skill I ironically never mastered despite being a former school sailor. Yan Tong exposed me to the powerful lessons of The Little Prince, reminding me that “what is essential is invisible to the eye”.

Schools play a key role in fostering critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. They can also reinforce values through teamwork and service.

However, parents must nurture respect, integrity and resilience at home.

Ultimately, education is a shared journey. As we rethink education, we must ask: What do we want schools to teach? And how can parents support that mission?

Loh Tick Boon