The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 So the Government has already agreed? Very good. We should thank the Government. I have spoken on this in prior Private Members’ debates—this is likely the third time in two decades this idea has been debated. Adding Law modules within Civic Education from next year is important.

¶ 02 As the BASL rightly notes, we study Mathematics, Science, Buddhism, English, etc., because they matter for life. Law affects every sphere. Every citizen has a moral duty to know the law; ignorance is wrong and never an excuse. Yet our curriculum gives insufficient structured legal learning. Everyone needs basic knowledge of criminal law and fundamental rights, and a broad understanding of ethics; also basics of civil, administrative, and constitutional law.

¶ 03 Beyond adding modules, we should go further: allow students who wish to study Law as an optional subject at GCE O/L and A/L. We can avoid overload while enabling interested students to choose Law—just as many sit London O/L and A/L in Law under Edexcel or Cambridge. Keep Law modules compulsory within Civic Education, and introduce Law as an optional examination subject at O/L and A/L.