Education & Character Development

Fahamir Redefine training

INCORPORATING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (LEADERSHIP) IN EDUCATION Education is the process in which individuals acquire skills and knowledge essential for personal development, such that they will be equipped with competencies that add value to self and community. Whilst I sincerely believe that the Singapore education system is robust, in terms of academic development, ensuring intellectual performance of students; increasingly I find that younger generation of Singaporeans tend to lack certain competencies, which I believe are essential. Competencies like Basic Life Skills, which are critical to prepare them for challenges in adulthood. I have personally seen the outcome of our current education system, in the mannerisms and aptitudes of young men who enlist for National Service. It proves that our education system produces highly intelligent and bright individuals, capable of handling complex cognitive situations, but unable to effectively communicate their intention to others (in person). They also displayed a lack of resilience in the face of adversity, easily giving up, on the first instance of failure or rejection. My passion, to change our approach to education and its delivery, stems from the concern that next generation Singaporeans lack the soft skills and resilience to compete in the global arena. This change is necessary to ensure our education system remains holistic and relevant to the needs of the individual and society. Character development (leadership) must be incorporated in school culture and content delivery process. Whilst it has been traditionally taught as an educational module, it is critical that its principles be permeated in teachersʼ attitudes, school events, symbols and student-teacher daily interactions (during lessons). Principles of intrapersonal development, interpersonal development, and ʻPracticeʼ must be imbued in the curriculum and made practical in schools, to augment studentsʼ natural thought processes. However this planned change will not be instantaneous, as it involves a change in culture for all stakeholders (students, teachers & parents) first. Based on past schools transformed with the Leader In Me ideology, a whole year was needed to ensure that the faculty was prepared for the change and have a clear, united vision for the school. Subsequently, full school implementation will leverage on the lessons learnt during the pilot phase.

1 Understanding your training needs in the following countries. Singapore | Malaysia | Indonesia

Fahamir Redefine training

For effective character development, the principles must be imbued in the pedagogy, such that students practice these principles as part of their cognitive learning process, instead of simply being another lesson to be learnt. The principles will be the basis of learning and growth for the students. As evidenced, my thoughts are heavily influenced by Stephen R Coveyʼs ʻThe Leader in Meʼ, which describes how an elementary school (AB Combs Elementary) was successful in transforming its learning environment by incorporating elements of the 7 Habits in the curriculum. The book had also listed Chua Chu Kang Primary School, as having implemented the 7 Habits in its culture and mentioned that NIE had taught teachers on the 7 Habits. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to prove that it has been successful in transforming the learning environment. On a personal note, I harbor genuine interest in collaborating with schools to implement ʻPrinciple Based Educationʼ, leveraging on my experience in instructional design, developing young military leaders (18-20 years old) and bringing up my two sons. From creating the “Leader in Me Vision” for the school, to conducting “Introduction to 7 Habits”, and collaborating to imbue principle-based learning in the present curriculum, my personal stake is the fact that my children will attend elementary school in a few yearsʼ time and I wish only the best for them. Great happens here! Letʼs make the change that we want to see in the education system. Looking forward to be part of the education systemʼs transformation.

Sincerely,

Mohamad Faiz Selamat Director, Learning & Performance 29th July 2009

2 Understanding your training needs in the following countries. Singapore | Malaysia | Indonesia