When I was a student, education was mostly about Learning. The drilling method was the most common and “proven” way to achieving excellence. One had to memorise facts and regurgitate them during tests and exams. However, today’s Education in Singapore has come to realise the importance of Acquisition and is gradually revising the syllabus as well as teaching methods to better cater to students’ long-term learning needs. Both Learning and Acquisition are important for learners. They are interdependent and loosely connected with Hybridity, ‘Third Space’. Hybridity is the combination, the bridge between official (school/learning) and unofficial (home/acquisition) space.

In our education system, new ideas such as [1]“Holistic education” and [1]“teach less learn more” have been put in place to encourage this “Hybridity”. Although the intention and idea is good, it is important for the teachers to carry it out well. “Teach less learn more” does not literally mean teaching less and simply allowing students to learn on their own. It has to be guided structured learning in which the students are given the opportunity to explore and ‘direct’ the lesson.

I feel that one good opportunity for hybridity to take place is through conflicts. I remember during contract teaching, there were a few Primary 3 girls who were very fond of disturbing boys. They would say, “Ewww, you like her. You sleep with her then nine months later will have baby” or “You sleep with (who and who).” These were primary 3 girls... (yes, they grow up fast!). As they were considered young, their form teacher felt that it was taboo, took them aside and gave them a good lashing. After which, their parents were called and they were sternly warned never to talk in this manner because it was not befitting of young girls to engage in such talk. However, if we were to look at the implications, these children will grow up to think that sex is dirty etc. One of the girl’s parents actually commented that he cannot do anything about it since it is all over the media. Actually he is quite right. Children are exposed to it on television, in the movies, through songs and their lyrics. Instead of brushing these curious children away, we could use their curiosity to educate them and help them better understand the implications and complications. We could also integrate it with civics and moral education or science. In this way, education is fuelled through interest. More so, these children will be given the right facts and not be taught through hear-says or myths.