Social Studies
Learn about the Primary Social Studies syllabus and how it builds students into caring, active citizens who contribute to Singapore and the world.
Social Studies aims to instill in students a stronger appreciation of the values that shape Singaporean society, fostering attitudes that encourage care for both their community and the broader world. It seeks to cultivate empathy in their interactions with others.
The Curriculum therefore envisions Social Studies students as informed, concerned and participative citizens, competent in decision-making and driven by a genuine commitment to contribute responsibly to society and the global community.
A thematic approach is adopted to frame the Social Studies Primary syllabus (opens in new tab) and is organized into three broad clusters, with each level of study guided by an inquiry focus.
Primary Social Studies syllabus clusters, levels and inquiry focus
Cluster of Study | Levels of Study | Inquiry Focus |
Discovering Self and Immediate Environment | Primary 1 | Who am I in relation to the people and places around me? |
Primary 2 | What unites the people in Singapore as a nation? | |
Understanding Singapore in the Past and Present | Primary 3 | What is Singapore’s environment like and how do we overcome the challenges we face? |
Primary 4 | How is life in Singapore today shaped by what happened in the past? | |
Appreciating Singapore, the Region and the World We Live In | Primary 5 | How has Singapore developed as a nation since its independence? |
Part 2: Understanding Southeast Asia’s Diversity and Interconnectedness | What makes up Southeast Asia and how are the countries interconnected? | |
Primary 6 | How are the legacies of civilisations seen in our lives today? |