Page 83 - YBAM 50th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine

Buddhist textbooks in the name of YBAM, syllabus for the primary school Buddhist
starting from primary school, secondary textbooks.
school, and even up to the level of
university and college. There were two The writing process was complicated
reasons for such a proposal: and delicate, the editorial board met
almost every two months, which lasted
1. From the 1980s to the 1990s, two to three years. In November 1998,
Dharma classes in primary and the curriculum was finally published.
secondary schools throughout the However, in the next three years, no one
THE JOURNEY OF country flourished. There was an showed any interest in the curriculum,

urgent need to provide a set of Buddhist and no organisation compiled a textbook
COMPILING BUDDHIST TEXTBOOKS textbooks that are different from the based on the curriculum.

traditional teaching materials (such
TAN EOW TEIK
as ‘Elementary Buddhist Textbook’ COMPILING BUDDHIST TEXTBOOKS,
or other textbooks written by other ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS, AND TEACHER’S
PREFACE organisations) and are relevant to GUIDEBOOK FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL

To instill right views, understanding, contemporary demand, to convey the
The YBAM fifth six-year plan (2004- and faith for children / youth towards doctrines of Buddhism and Buddhist In 2002, Tong Cheng Beoy served as the
2010) stated that Buddhist education is the Triple Gems. knowledge through a more interesting chairperson of the Education Committee,
one of the six major areas of the YBAM.
and effective approach. she prioritised the education affairs and
YBAM explicitly listed the compilation To establish correct moral values and pushed for the establishment of the
of Buddhist curriculum, textbooks, and religious values in children / youth. 2. At that time, there were rumours ‘Primary School Buddhist Textbooks
teacher’s guidebook from preschool to the
that the Ministry of Education was Editorial Board’. After the first meeting on
college level as the principal educational To develop compassion and wisdom keen in incorporating various religious 8 March 2002, the compilation of primary
project. Since 2004, YBAM has gradually in children / youth. teachings into moral subject. For this school Buddhist textbooks was officially
published Buddhist textbooks and
reason, YBAM prepared in advance started. Altogether 6 volumes have been
teacher’s guidebook of standard one to To cultivate children / youth with the and compiled primary school textbooks published according to the age groups.
six for primary school. ‘To Always Follow spirit to love and nurture Buddhism. according to age.
the Buddha’s Teachings’ which comprises
The preparation of textbooks was
two volumes were published in 2015 and To encourage children / youth to COMPILING THE CURRICULUM cumbersome and lengthy, including
2019 respectively for secondary school. make good use of the Dharma in their AND SYLLABUS writing, reviewing, drawing, composing,

daily lives. making CDs, and designing activities.
CONCEPT
To compile a textbook, we must first have After the completion of textbook series,
To shape the wholesome personality a curriculum. At that time, YBAM had no the teacher’s guidebook will need to be
To cultivate children / youth to achieve a of Buddhist youth, in order to promote idea at all, so with the support of the then designed and written. For this, the editorial
balanced development of rationality, emotions, the prosperity, harmony, and progress chairperson of Education Committee Lim board had set up three task forces, which
and willpower through the Dharma, thereby of both the society and the country. Phaik Har, an editorial board was set up were responsible for administration,
shaping a perfect personality for building
for the curriculum compilation. Wong Sien reviewing, and writing the teacher’s
a society full of wisdom, compassion, and However, the initiation, conceptualisation Biang, the then YBAM Vice President and guidebook.
gratitude. and its implementation started from 1995. a lecturer of Trainee Teachers College,

At that time, the Education Committee was invited to lead and guide the editorial In terms of write-ups contribution, it involved
OBJECTIVES came up with the idea of publishing
080 board in the writing of curriculum and a careful selection process, inviting drafts 081

50 YEARS OF DHARMA PRO PA GATION CO NTINUING THE MIS SION IN THE 5G ER A