Survey On The State Of Development Of Wushu In Singapore's Primary And Secondary Schools

Using such methods as literature searching, surveys, interviews with experts and statistics, research was conducted on 18 of Singapore's primary and secondary schools that offer wushu lessons, as well as 10 that do not, to investigate the state of development of wushu there. The objective of this research was to identify issues that currently exist within Singapore's teaching of wushu at its primary and secondary school levels, and provide fundamental information and reference material for the development of wushu in Singapore as well as the promotion of China's wushu. According to statistical records from Singapore's Ministry of Education, around 30.4% of the country's primary and secondary schools offer wushu lessons. More students in Singapore favour Chinese wushu over taekwondo or other martial arts. According to'Investigation into Primary and Secondary School Martial Arts Education in China',29.7% of such schools in China offer wushu lessons. A portion of the schools not only do not increase these classes, but cut down on them in favour of increasing taekwondo and other foreign martial arts classes. As such, the situation for development of wushu in Singapore seems more optimistic than in China. The main motivations for Singaporean students in learning wushu are improving physical fitness, and interest for the art itself. Their primary exposure to wushu is through watching television and films. Secondary factors are school wushu lessons, wuxia novels and the internet. Wushu activities in Singapore's primary and secondary schools come in many forms. Apart from holding school wushu competitions, students' wushu performances on special occasions are organised, as well as overseas exchanges and charity activities. Survey data shows that wushu instructors in Singapore's primary and secondary schools are mostly retirees of China's professional wushu teams. The curriculum taught consists of international set routines as well as elementary, traditional, taiji and self-choreographed styles (both empty-handed and with weapons). The survey also found that the leading reason for some Singaporean schools'lack of wushu lessons was a shortage of qualified instructors (35.7% of such schools). This was followed by students'dislike of the wushu curriculum taught (28.6%) and limitations of facilities and equipment as well as students'dislike of wushu in general (21.4%). In conclusion, Singapore's primary and secondary school students learn wushu primarily to improve their fitness. Due to the complexity and uniqueness inherent in Chinese wushu, as well as the strategic way in which it is promoted, Singaporean students'understanding of its skills and theory are comparatively poor. Therefore, it is difficult for wushu in Singapore to undergo further development. Judging from the reasons many Singaporean schools give for not having offered wushu lessons, the following are some suggestions for the promotion of Chinese wushu: firstly, instructors should be trained that are skilled in both practical and theoretical areas, to assist in developing wushu in other countries. Secondly, a new wushu curriculum could be developed, and the grading system further standardised. Lastly, a certain amount of equipment and practice carpets could be provided free of charge to Singaporean schools.