MOE responds to critiques on Israel-Hamas conflict education

SINGAPORE: In light of growing concerns and criticism on social media about educational content related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the Ministry of Education (MOE) clarified its stance and teaching approach on Friday.

The ministry emphasized that educators are committed to delivering balanced lessons without imposing personal views or favouring any parties involved in the conflict.

The discourse began after several posts surfaced online, questioning the neutrality and comprehensiveness of the curriculum covering the tumultuous events in Gaza.

Critics, which included parents, pointed out the lack of historical context in lessons, which start from the events of 7 October, neglecting the seven-decade-long conflict between Israel and Palestine.



Additionally, there were concerns that teachers were restricted to the prescribed material, limiting further discussion.

The MOE responded by highlighting the curriculum's focus on fostering empathy among younger students and encouraging older students to critically assess information sources and appreciate diverse perspectives.

These lessons form part of the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) program, initiated in February this year, designed to cover contemporary issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Despite the one-hour lesson constraint and the time needed to prepare resources, the curriculum only covers developments from 7 October up to December 2023.

This period has seen significant escalations, with international calls for action growing as civilian casualties rise.

Recent developments include a world court order in January for Israel to prevent acts of genocide in its operations against Hamas in Gaza and three United Nations Security Council draft resolutions for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, vetoed primarily by the United States.

In its defence, the MOE stated that its lessons aim to provide a safe environment for students to comprehend the complexities of the situation and form their own opinions. The curriculum includes discussions on various contemporary issues, such as casual racism, mental well-being, and other global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.

However, some educational materials have come under scrutiny for omitting critical information.

Lesson slides include a brief summary of key events in the Israel-Palestine conflict since 1948 and a summary of Hamas, highlighting its non-recognition of Israel's right to exist.


Notably absent were mentions of Israel's non-recognition of a Palestinian state and recent accusations against Israel of committing acts of genocide against Palestinians.

One unhappy parent shared how she had to show the child the background of the conflict, all the way back to Nakba - the mass displacement and dispossession of some 430,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, and how the child is being confused by the information presented by MOE.



The omission of crucial data, particularly around Israel's blatant disregard for human lives in Gaza, has sparked debate among parents and the public, with some questioning MOE's portrayal of Israel in the lessons for the children.

An open letter from a group of concerned parents urgently calls on the MOE to revisit and rectify the approach schools are taking to teach and discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The letter outlines specific concerns regarding the accuracy of historical narratives, the framing of the conflict, the omission of key humanitarian issues, and the potential for misinformation to foster misunderstanding and discrimination among students.

It urges the MOE to ensure that educational content is balanced, thoroughly vetted, and presented in a manner that fosters critical thinking and empathy.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported on 21 February that since the war began on 7 October, a total of 69,333 people have been injured in Gaza, in addition to 29,313 deaths.

The final death toll from the 7 October attack by Hamas is now estimated to be 695 Israeli civilians, including 36 children, as well as 373 security forces and 71 foreigners, totalling 1,139 casualties.

It is important to note that some of the fatalities on 7 October were from Israeli forces; for example, an Israeli helicopter opened fire on Israelis at a festival as Hamas fighters were hiding among the crowd.

Additionally, the Hannibal Directive, a policy of the Israeli military, mandates that no hostage should be taken, authorizing lethal force against its own citizens and forces to prevent such situations.