SINGAPORE – To encourage children to use Mandarin in their daily lives, it should be taught as an everyday language and not just as an examination subject, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on April 25.
To do this, children need to see that the Chinese language exists in daily life, not just in classrooms, he said, citing an example of teachers in Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens who bring the children outdoors to observe clouds, find insects and read picture books.
“All of these sessions are conducted in Mandarin to increase the opportunities for using the language,” said Mr Ong.
This is part of an effort since 2025 by the kindergartens to allocate an extra half an hour to mother tongue language class time daily.
Mr Ong was speaking at the launch of the SG Chinese FunFest at Punggol Coast Mall on April 25.
The inaugural festival, organised by SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group, features cultural performances and interactive booths that are meant to encourage attendees to immerse themselves in Chinese literature and culture.
Kicking off with a carnival at Punggol Coast Mall, the festival will be held till May 17 across various locations in Singapore such as NTUC Centre, The Arts House and Capitol Theatre.
Open to members of the public, the FunFest will also feature guided cultural tours, book launches and film screenings.
In his speech, Mr Ong noted that despite Singaporeans’ challenges in learning Chinese, its cultural foundations remain strong.
Although English is the primary language in most households here, 75 per cent of households are bilingual, he said.
