National Education

National Education (NE) is a significant aspect of Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), comprises a wide range of school efforts that help students experience and explore their national identity as Singaporeans, understand the realities and challenges unique to our nation and foster a sense of hope and belonging to Singapore. A strong sense of belonging, reality and hope motivates our students to be active citizens. While they seek to achieve their personal life goals, they also see themselves as playing a contributory role in their families, school, and immediate communities.

NE Commemorative Events

Total Defence Day (TDD)
Term 1 15 February

The theme for 2025 is “Together We Keep Singapore Strong”. 15 February marks the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942. In commemorating TDD, our students reflect on the importance of Total Defence as Singapore's best all-round response to threats and challenges that confront Singapore (e.g. terrorism, pandemics, cyber-attacks, influence campaigns or economic crises). Students also reflect on the continuing relevance of the six pillars of Total Defence - Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence, Digital Defence and Psychological Defence - as well as the core message of every Singaporean standing together, each playing our part to protect Singapore and our shared way of life.

TDD is a good opportunity for students in primary school to know the aspects of Total Defence and how they can play a part in each aspect.

International Friendship Day (IFD)
Term 2 3rd Friday

The theme for 2025 to 2027 is “Singapore: Forging Friendships in a Complex World".

It is a day dedicated to the understanding of Singapore's relations with neighbouring countries and beyond. IFD is a good opportunity for students in primary school to:

be acquainted with the diverse and colourful culture and traditions of the region and the lives of their peers in other ASEAN Member-States,
nurture in our students the spirit of friendship and collaboration among different peoples in ASEAN and beyond and
keep an open mindset and express an appreciation of the contributions of foreigners living, working and studying in Singapore.

Caption: 2024 International Friendship Day

Racial Harmony Day
Term 3 21 July

The theme for 2025 to 2027 is “Our People, Our Tapestry”.

21 July marks the anniversary of the 1964 race riots. On this day, students reflect on and celebrate Singapore as a harmonious society built on a rich diversity of cultures and the collaborative effort of all to promote social cohesion. RHD is a good opportunity for students in primary school to:

make friends with people of other races and religions
learn that in Singapore, people are treated equally regardless of their race and religion
appreciate the different cultures that make up Singapore

Caption: 2024 Racial Harmony Day Assembly Skit by Drama Club

National Day Commemoration in School
Term 3 Last school day before 9 August

The theme for 2025 is “Majulah Singapura”.
It calls upon Singaporeans to look forward confidently and move onward together in building our shared future as one united people.

National Day marks our separation from Malaysia in 1965, and our emergence as an independent country in a community of nations.

The school-based commemoration brings to students a sense of the historical importance and solemnity of National Day. There will be an observance ceremony and a celebrations segment that reflects the National Day theme.

2024 Observance Ceremony

National Education (NE) and Social Studies Programmes

1. Primary 5 NE Show

As part of our commitment to nurturing active and proud citizens, our Primary 5 students attend the National Education (NE) Show — a special preview of the National Day Parade held at the Padang.

This meaningful experience allows our students to:

Appreciate the significance of National Day and Singapore’s journey as a nation
Experience the pride and unity that come from being part of a larger national celebration
Reflect on their identity as Singaporeans and the values that unite us as one people

The NE Show serves as a powerful platform to ignite a sense of belonging and national pride in our students.

Caption: 2024 NE Show

2. NE Integration Programme for ISPR

This programme is designed to support our International Students (IS) and Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) in developing a deeper understanding of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage and national values.

Through specially curated experiences, the programme aims to:

Introduce students to Singapore’s diverse cultures
Foster a sense of belonging and rootedness in Singapore
Encourage the building of friendships and mutual respect among students of different backgrounds

By promoting inclusion and cultural appreciation, this programme nurtures stronger emotional connections and a greater sense of national identity in our IS/PR students.

Caption: Deepening understanding of the diverse cultures in Singapore through hands-on activities with Malay kompangs, Chinese drums and Indian dhols in 2024.

3. Learning at Xishan Heritage Gallery and Heritage Cove

Xishan Primary unveiled its extended Heritage Gallery (The Heritage Cove) on Thursday, 28 July 2022. The launch reception was officiated by our SAC Chairperson, Mrs Agnes Sim and members of the SAC.

The original Heritage Gallery was constructed in 2017 to commemorate the school’s 80^th anniversary. It provides an overview of the school history, Singapore’s development over the years and the neighbourhood around the school. The heritage gallery was extended and refurbished to showcase the school’s and nation’s transformation over the years. The extension of the gallery allows us to convert the external area into a space for teaching and learning Social Studies and National Education.

Students get to learn about the national symbols by completing the pencil rubbing activities and matching the images to the information about these symbols on the floor visuals. The large Singapore map allows students to practise their map reading skills as they identify the location of the significant places they have read about during Social Studies lessons and visited during their FbL. The newly designed feature wall “Our Journey, Our Hopes” presents the hopes and wishes that Xishanites have penned for their school and nation as well as showcase our journey and our hopes as a school and a nation.

4. Social Studies Field-based Learning (FbL)

Social Studies Field-based Learning (FbL) experiences are thoughtfully curated to provide our students with authentic opportunities to explore Singapore’s heritage, environment, and identity.

These learning journeys:

Engage students in inquiry-based learning, where they ask questions, observe, and reflect
Motivate and sustain interest in Social Studies by connecting lessons to real-world experiences
Help students make meaningful connections between what they learn in class and the world around them

All FbL experiences are part of the Student Development Experiences (SDEs) under the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) Curriculum. Through these experiences, students not only gain knowledge but also develop a stronger sense of national identity and rootedness.