S'pore schools to start India studies

Students will be able to study about Indian culture and politics as an A-level subject at Singapore schools.

Students interested in learning more about India will be able to study the culture and politics of the country as an A-level subject at Singapore schools, a newspaper reported Saturday.

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The Ministry of Education is looking into offering courses on India, similar to the Chinese studies programme under a new junior college curriculum.

"Over time, with the new, more flexible A-level curriculum, new subjects of this nature are possible," The Straits Times quoted Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam as saying.

Starting next month, the Raffles Junior College is offering students courses on Indian culture, media development and post-independence politics.

The studies will end with a two-to-three week trip to India.

"Our bio-cultural programme on India is a first step towards developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indian culture and society," said college principal Winston Hodge.

Ethnic Indians make about 7 per cent of Singapore's predominantly Chinese population.