Singapore Social Studies Textbook Says Speaking Singlish Shows Low Socio-Economic Status

A Sec-3 Singapore Social Studies textbook has triggered the ire of netizens after some of it’s content got highlighted online.

Do you use Singlish or other dialects in daily conversation? Or play soccer or basketball at HDB estates? Do you eat at hawker centres (or at home)?

According to this guidebook, if the answer to these questions is “Yes”, then sorry, you belong to “lower socio-economic status (SES).”

Singapore Social Studies textbook comes under fire

It was Facebook user Ahmad Matin who first shared a page from the book, titled ‘Complete Guide to GCE O-Level Social Studies Vol 1’, and written by Rowan Luc . The objectionable content discusses Socio-Economic Status (SES) in Singapore.

According to this book, you belong to higher SES, if you:

• Use formal English in daily conversation or at home

• Play sports like golf or tennis at an exclusive country club

• Have regular fine dining at expensive restaurants

• Travel overseas during school holidays for leisure 

You however, belong to lower SES if you:

• Use Singlish or different dialects in daily conversation or at home

• Play sports like football or basketball at the local HDB estates

• Eat at hawker centres or at home

• Work part-time jobs during vacation time to meet basic family needs

Going by these guidelines though, the majority of Singaporeans would belong to lower SES! Needless to say, Singaporeans disapproved, rather strongly!

MOE responds to Singapore Social Studies textbook content

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has since then stated that the book “is not on the Ministry of Education’s Approved Textbook List.”

“Commercial learning materials approved by MOE will bear the Ministry’s stamp of approval on their front cover or inside the book,” clarified the MOE

Parents, do look out for MOE’s stamp of approval before selecting learning materials for your children.

Also READ: This Chinese sex education textbook will shock you!