Education News.

New Vocational Training Facilities at Metta School

April 30, 2013

"My students may need a longer runway, but they can do it!" said Miss Melison See, Principal of Metta School. From 2013, two new ITE Skills Certificates (ISCs) in Baking Practices and Hospitality Services will be offered to students with special needs at Metta School. This has been made possible with the new extension block at Metta School which offers industry standard facilities that meet the requirements of an Approved Training Centre (ATC) for these two certifications. Metta School offers special education to children aged between 7 and 21, who are diagnosed with mild intellectual disability or mild autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Students between 17 to 21-years-old undergo the Vocational Education Programme, which prepares them for the ITE Skills Certification (ISC).

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Learning Geography Through Fieldwork

April 24, 2013

"Field trips reinforce what students learn in the classroom and help them develop a love for the subject," said Miss Low Siew Peng, a geography teacher at Unity Secondary School. In the new geography syllabus that was implemented in 2013, field studies became compulsory for Secondary Three students, and will apply to lower secondary students from 2014. Previously, teachers had the option of using field studies as one of the strategies for learning geography, as research had shown that field trips has a positive impact on long-term memory. "The move to have fieldwork in our curriculum challenges teachers to become learners first," said Mdm Viyaya Rani, Master Teacher (Geography) at the Academy of Singapore Teachers. To learn more about fieldwork, Mdm Rani and Miss Low embarked on a field trip to Mount Merapi in Indonesia, conducted by the Earth Observatory of Singapore. From the experience, they customised a field trip that would cater to students and shared about the inquiry process required with other geography teachers at a seminar during the MOE ExCEL Fest 2013, held on 5 and 6 April this year. "I went for the field trip because Mt Merapi is an exciting venue covered in our syllabus, and the experts from the Earth Observatory of Singapore were there to provide explanations!" said Miss Low.

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New MOE-MCCY Partnership to Sustain Youth Volunteerism

April 21, 2013

"Society today can be very selfish in nature. We need to learn to help others and by doing that, help ourselves," said Eliza Binte M. Hamarian, 15, a student from Bukit Panjang Government High School. During the National Secondary School Student Leaders Conference held on 17 April 2013, 680 student leaders from various schools gathered to discuss the social causes they cared about and shared ideas on how to encourage community involvement. To encourage this spirit of volunteerism and passion for social causes among youths, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) are partnering to develop Community and Youth Leadership (CYL) schools. These schools will receive more support for ground-up initiatives and the Values in Action (VIA) programme in schools. Part of the $100 million National Youth Fund (NYF) will also be used to support these projects. "I hope that after our students graduate, they will continue to play an active role in building a more gracious and caring Singapore," said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who graced the event with Acting Minister for MCCY and National Youth Council (NYC) Chairman Lawrence Wong.

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Supporting Wildlife Conservation with Bindi Irwin

April 15, 2013

Bindi Irwin, 14, an Australian wildlife conservationist and daughter of the late Steve Irwin, star of The Crocodile Hunter, visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens on 12 April 2014. Twenty students from Bedok Green Primary School, Queenstown Primary School and Rosyth Primary School had the opportunity to interact with her. "Bindi Irwin is a kid, just like me, and she engages us with fun and interesting facts", said Pearlyn Wong, 12, a student from Bedok Green Primary School whose interest in the environment was sparked when she first watched Bindi the Jungle Girl on the Discovery Kids channel at the age of five.

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Igniting a Passion for Learning @ MOE ExCEL Fest 2013

April 10, 2013

From manga-art drawing in art lessons to transforming textbook content onto a virtual platform in geography fieldwork, this year's ExCEL (Excellence through Continuous Enterprise & Learning) Fest brimmed with exciting and innovative practices implemented by schools.

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Five MOE Pilot Kindergartens in HDB Heartlands

March 28, 2013

From next year, MOE will start operating and enrol Kindergarten One pupils across its five pilot kindergartens. The kindergartens are located within HDB heartlands, with four based in primary schools, namely Blangah Rise Primary School, Dazhong Primary School, Farrer Park Primary School and Punggol View Primary School, and one in the community at Block 489C Tampines Street 45. The kindergartens in the four primary schools will take in 120 children each, while the one located in Tampines will take in 80 children for the first year. The kindergartens will operate two sessions in the morning and afternoon, with each session being a four hour programme.

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Providing English Literacy Support For Primary School Pupils

March 14, 2013

For Primary One and Two pupils, additional support for English literacy is being piloted in some primary schools, to help pupils who have difficulty coping with the pace of regular classroom teaching. This additional support is part of the levelling up efforts to help children succeed, regardless of their family background, starting from a quality kindergarten and then building a strong foundation in the ten years of primary and secondary education. "These low-progress pupils often lack confidence. So this additional support, conducted in a small group setting, provides ample opportunities for them to speak up," said English teacher at Da Qiao Primary School, Mrs Sangeetha Sivanesan who received training to carry out the pilot initiative. Currently, the ongoing nationwide Learning Support Programme (LSP) is conducted in 30-minute sessions daily for the bottom 10% of pupils who require help with basic literacy skills. In contrast, this additional support aims to help those who do not need to be on the LSP, but face difficulties during the regular STrategies for English Language Learning And Reading (STELLAR) lessons .

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Helping Every Student Succeed - Levelling Up Numeracy Skills in Schools

March 13, 2013

'It is extremely important to help low-progress learners see, feel and touch Mathematics. Higher ability students are able to grasp concepts quickly, but low-progress learners need help in visualising concepts. This approach helps to create a motivating environment and improves the students' engagement and attitude towards learning the subject,' noted Ms Safurah, who was also the project coordinator for the levelling up effort for numeracy piloted in Bedok View Secondary School since 2012. To provide specialised help for more students to achieve a higher level of competency in literacy and numeracy, 600 teachers will be deployed to schools with needs in these areas. Coupled with key intervention strategies such as small group teaching, remediation and co-teaching; every child will have the opportunity to build their competency and confidence, regardless of their background and pace of learning.

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Paying it Forward

March 11, 2013

As a student with a stellar academic record, a recipient of several high-profile awards and who's actively involved in community service, H Sharanya Pillai epitomises the well-rounded student who excels both academically and in her values. Despite her family's humble background, Sharanya (middle) benefited from MOE's Financial Assistance Scheme since her secondary school days and went on to excel in her A-levels. Photo Courtesy of H Sharanya Pillai As the Community Service Director in Anderson Junior College's (AJC) Interact Club, Sharanya was heavily involved, from the planning to implementation, of numerous community service projects. One such project would be the...

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Exercising Creativity Through Digital Media

March 8, 2013

Many would know from their school days that germination occurs when green beans are placed in wet cotton wool. But have you ever wondered if green beans can germinate in ketchup, beancurd or jelly? Five pupils from the Infocomm Club in St Anthony's Canossian Primary School came up with this out-of-the-box idea after watching a Japanese YouTube video on unconventional Science experiments. The creative bunch was not disappointed. Their video, 'Crazy Germination', bagged the Gold Award (Primary Category).

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Standing Up To Her Fears

March 7, 2013

"Taking an exam scares me," says Natasha Nadya Bte Kamarun Z, 19, who received her GCE A-level examination results last Friday, 1 March 2013. One may think this is nothing surprising - who isn't nervous at the thought of sitting for an exam? But what made it more challenging for Natasha was that she was diagnosed with anxiety disorder three years ago. In her first year at Jurong Junior College, Natasha was afraid to go to school. To her, the new environment meant larger crowds, unfamiliar faces and loud noises, which tend to upset people with anxiety disorder. Medication which made her drowsy also affected her attendance and she was frequently absent during the first eight to ten months. "The A-level journey has developed me. Instead of avoiding my problems, I have learnt to overcome my fears and be more independent," said Natasha.

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Discovering Her Passion for Geography

March 4, 2013

"I'm interested in how the world works. It gets me all excited! It's my passion," said Gina Wang, 19, a student from Innova Junior College, when speaking about Geography, her favourite subject. The GCE A-level examination results were released on 1 March this year. About 90.6% of candidates achieved at least three H2 passes, with a pass in General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry. Gina received three As for her H2 subjects, as well as two Bs and one C for her H1 subjects. During primary school, studying was not foremost in Gina's mind. She obtained a PSLE score of 189 and enrolled in Springfield Secondary School. It was only at the upper secondary level that things began to change for her.

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Refreshed Kindergarten Curriculum Framework Spells out Learning Outcomes for Children

February 21, 2013

A new version of the Kindergarten Curriculum Framework (KCF) will guide pre-school educators and parents by providing a set of learning outcomes for children upon completion of Kindergarten. "The thrust of what we are trying to do is to make sure that everybody meets a certain standard," said Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Law and Education Indranee Rajah at a visit to Ascension Kindergarten on 20 February. She also emphasised the importance of developing confidence and social skills during pre-school years. Pre-school centres are strongly encouraged to use these broad teaching and learning guidelines in designing and implementing an age appropriate curriculum, so as to prepare children for further learning when they make the transition to Primary One.

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Learning Support for Pupils Struggling with English Literacy

January 28, 2013

Literacy strategies are taught to Primary One and Two pupils in the Learning Support Programme (LSP). LSP is an early intervention effort for those with weak oral and reading skills in the English Language. According to the recently released results of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2011, the percentage of Singapore students who performed below or just attained the 'low' benchmark decreased from 24% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. The effectiveness of the LSP is supported by the significant progress seen in academically-weaker students.

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Fun with Literacy in School and at Home

January 25, 2013

The method of retelling a story is a reading comprehension strategy used at upper primary level, which engages pupils in a range of language and cognitive processes as they apply major skills such as listening, reading, speaking and writing. It is one method of the holistic approach recommended by the STrategies for English Language Learning And Reading (STELLAR) programme, developed and based on research and pedagogical approaches. "The STELLAR approach has made the learning of English very fun and when pupils enjoy the lessons, they learn better," says Mrs Siti Ardah Hazry, who teaches English to Primary 5 pupils of Northland Primary School.

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Nurturing Informed and Active Citizens through Social Studies (Part 2)

January 17, 2013

Like other subjects in MOE's school curricula, the Social Studies curriculum is regularly revised to ensure that it is kept up-to-date with changing global and national circumstances, and appropriately pitched to a more curious and knowledgeable student population. For secondary school students, Ms Azlinda bt Samsudin, Head of Department for Humanities at Sembawang Secondary School, notes that it is important that they learn how to discern the credibility of the information they obtain, identify the difference between opinion and fact, and have the critical mindset to analyse the information they receive. Such life skills are indeed part and parcel of the revised Social Studies curriculum for secondary school.

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Her Recipe for Success

January 16, 2013

Minister for Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat, encouraged graduating students to seize every opportunity for lifelong learning and innovation. Minister Heng mingles with students and parents at the Singapore Institute of Technology ceremony celebrating the graduating first cohort on 11 Jan 2013. Armed with a business diploma after graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, one would expect Lai Sook Yi to further her studies in a related field. Instead, she decided to blaze a new trail to do something she had always enjoyed. Even in her polytechnic days, Sook Yi worked as a course coordinator at the Bake-it-Yourself bakery during...

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Keeping her Mother's Dream Alive

January 15, 2013

Safarah Bte Asmadi (left) graduated from SIT last year and is currently working at Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. Her interest was piqued by her uncle's (right) stories and experiences in the marine industry. When Safarah Bte Asmadi was young, she was inspired by her family's stories and experiences about life in the marine industry, especially those of her uncle who worked as a boat launcher for 16 years. It had also been her mother's dream to work in the marine industry. However, due to an unfortunate accident 21 years ago, her mother was paralysed from the waist down...

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Nurturing Informed and Active Citizens through Social Studies (Part 1)

January 15, 2013

A dramatised exchange between two pupils at Tampines North Primary School is a typical example of how the Social Studies curriculum is taught with a fresh approach in primary schools today. "Younger pupils love dramatisation, whether it's acting or watching their friends act," teacher Mdm Irma Darny Swadi says. Mdm Irma was also involved in the planning of the revised Social Studies curriculum in 2006 and 2012, and the updated curriculum developed by MOE aims to leverage on this natural curiosity and enthusiasm of children, to engage them in real-world issues, both past and present.

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Strengthening Home-School Partnership

January 3, 2013

School-based Student Care Centres (SCC) extend the learning environment beyond schooling hours and enhance social, emotional, recreational, physical and intellectual development of pupils. Working parents can set their minds at ease, knowing that their children are taken care of. The formation of 14 new SCCs in January 2013 will bring the total number of SCCs to 80, which is more than 40% of primary schools in Singapore. Two are Special Education (SPED) schools, Chaoyang School and Grace Orchard School.

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Celebrating the Right Attitude and Values in our Students

December 31, 2012

Giving study tips and helping friends through tough, stressful times both in school and outside of it, while maintaining high academic standards, Pei Zhen personifies the ideal Edusave Character Award (ECHA) recipient. Marsiling Secondary School student, Soon Pei Zhen, is one of a new breed of students who excel not only in their studies but also look beyond themselves to help others in need. Giving study tips and helping friends through stressful times both in school and outside of it, while maintaining her own high academic standards, Pei Zhen well deserves the Edusave Character Award (ECHA). The award is given...

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Education Leaders who Go the Way & Show the Way

December 28, 2012

Minister for Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat at the 15th Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony for Principals held on 27 December 2012. Principals lead schools, and this is not an easy task. They make a multitude of decisions everyday; from the safety and conduct of students to the well-being of staff. As education leaders, principals are the main interface between ground reality and desired future. At the same time, these leaders shape the quality of education by attending to multiple demands from different stakeholders. At the 15th Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony for Principals held on 27 December 2012, 60 principals received...

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Pre-School Learning through 'Purposeful Play'

November 21, 2012

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education, Ms Indranee Rajah, at the Kindergarten Learning Forum on 20 Nov 2012. Humpty Dumpty might not have fallen off the wall if it had been strong and stable. This is the interesting lesson that pre-schoolers at the Ascension Kindergarten learn even as they play. When the children learnt that Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall, the teacher guided them in building a wall that is strong and stable for Humpty Dumpty to sit on and not fall off. To further stretch the children's imagination, the teacher even created models...

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Enabling Special Needs Children to Fulfil their Potential

November 21, 2012

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communications and Information, Ms Sim Ann explaining the support for special needs in schools. How and when do we assess children for dyscalculia (a math learning disability)? What can we do to help them? These were some questions raised at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) Maths Learning Differences and Dyscalculia Conference 2012 held on Saturday, 17 November 2012. Experts presented and discussed research, to help teachers and parents better support children with such learning difficulties. "We want every student, regardless of their abilities, to be an engaged learner...

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Engaging Our Educators in Conversation

November 16, 2012

Minister for Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat, graced the "Our Singapore Conversation" on 9 Nov and encouraged educators to improve constantly as Singapore's prosperity cannot be taken for granted. One of a series of dialogues that MOE is organising for our educators... We called for our educators to come together as part of "Our Singapore Conversation", to share one another's aspirations and dreams for Singapore, especially in education. And in response, some 80 staff and educators from the MOE family gathered last Friday, ready to spend the afternoon engaging in the issues that matter most to them. There was a...

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Learning Values through Daily Life Experiences - A New Syllabus for Character and Citizenship Education in 2014

November 15, 2012

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat visits Yangzheng Primary School, one of the eight schools involved in the pilot of the new CCE syllabus to be launched in 2014. Learning values will now be more authentic for students as, under the new syllabus for Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), daily life experiences are used as learning contexts. At a visit to Yangzheng Primary School yesterday, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that the new syllabus will be launched at the Primary and Secondary levels in 2014. This aims to engage students better as they learn values that will stand them in...

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Celebrating Achievements and Innovations in Special Education

November 2, 2012

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communications and Information, Ms Sim Ann admiring an art piece done by SPED schools. Over 1,600 Special Education (SPED) educators came together at a SPED Conference held this morning at the Singapore Expo as a fraternity to reflect on key developments in the SPED sector and to celebrate the achievements of outstanding teachers and innovations at SPED schools. Running into its second year, the theme of this year's conference was 'Growing Within, Reaching Beyond'. It was an opportune time for SPED educators to gather as a community to be...

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Creating Student Transformation through Multiple Learning Pathways

November 1, 2012

Learning will be fun and engaging at Crest Secondary School, when the school officially opens its doors to receive its first batch of students in January next year. The school is the first of two Specialised Schools for Normal (Technical) students, catering to their learning needs and interests to maximise their potential. At its first Open House for invited students held yesterday, the vibrancy of the school could be felt all around. The school's facilities are also unconventional, with learning stations set up to provide students with an authentic, practice-oriented learning experience.

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Helping Pupils Learn Actively and Holistically

October 16, 2012

At MOE's Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) Seminar and Exhibition, held on 10 July 2012 at Republic Polytechnic, keynote speakers Dr Susan M. Brookhart and Dr Ng Seok Moi shared their views on how formative assessment and developing higher-order thinking skills can enhance learning in primary schools in Singapore.

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Different Pathways for Different Needs

October 10, 2012

Most people still assume that formal education in Singapore means progressing seamlessly from primary school, to secondary school, culminating in tertiary education. But take a closer look at this year's recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship to Encourage Upgrading (LKY-STEP), and it becomes clear that some of them are not your "typical" students and that the path to educational success and personal fulfillment doesn't always follow a straight line.

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Normal Course Students Make Their Mark

October 9, 2012

Jordan Kuek Wei Jie received the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Outstanding Normal Course Students (NA) this year. He is now pursuing a diploma in aerospace engineering at Temasek Polytechnic. Another award-winner this year is Lim Han Long, who received the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Outstanding Normal Course Students (NT). He has entered ITE College West, where he is currently pursuing the NITEC in Electronics.

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A New Approach to Normal (Technical) Education

May 2, 2012

Imagine a secondary school with specially constructed facilities such as a teaching kitchen, hotel room, restaurant, supermarket and mechanical workshops, all contained within the school premises. When Singapore's two specialised schools for Normal (Technical) students (SSNTs) open over the next two years, that's exactly what they will be, providing a brand-new learning environment, with customised infrastructure catering to the learning of N(T) students.

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Encouraging Parent-Child Dialogue in Education

April 17, 2012

For parents who wanted to know the latest developments in the local education landscape, this year's MOE ExCEL Fest was an event not to be missed. Held on 30 and 31 March at Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre, the event was centred on the theme of "Nurturing the Whole Child, Opportunities for All". From sharing sessions such as on character building, to seminars such as on choosing a secondary school, different expert speakers reminded parents that they needed to put their child's interest at heart.

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Instilling Values by Winning Hearts

February 29, 2012

Professor Lee Wing On, Dean of Education Research at the National Institute of Education (NIE), has been teaching values education for over 20 years. He is also an advisor to MOE's Character & Citizenship Education Curriculum Development Steering Committee, and foresees "better and more coherent programmes aligned to the school's mission and vision".

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SPARK Certification for Pre-schools

January 16, 2012

The search for a suitable kindergarten or childcare centre is no elementary matter for parents, who might consider issues such as teaching standards, class size and programmes, cleanliness, safety and how well the school is managed. To help parents with this process, in November 2010 MOE launched SPARK, or the Singapore Pre-School Accreditation Framework. This is a quality assurance framework aimed at raising the standards of local pre-schools and giving parents an objective guide to the island's pre-schools.

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Allied Educators Add Life Experience to Learning

December 6, 2011

They teach in class and add a dose of real-life to school, but they aren't teachers. Instead, Allied Educators such as Mr Richard Ooi, Mr Abdul Hadi Bin Baharudin and Mr Melvin Au are giving pupils the benefit of their former work experience in both the classroom as well as in shaping the character of their young charges.

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Spreading the Message of Kindness in Schools

November 1, 2011

Broken pencils, a self-centred cat and 'sashy' ambassadors offer lessons in kindness at three schools that have launched programmes to promote acts of caring. And thanks to a new fund from MOE and the Singapore Kindness Movement, students and teachers will have more support and resources to champion a culture of kindness in their schools.

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Preparing Your Child for Primary School Life

October 18, 2011

How can you help your child make the transition from kindergarten to primary school? Mdm Jackie Kok, Principal of Gongshang Primary School, shares some observations and advice on how parents can make the start of school life an exciting and engaging time for every pupil.

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A Portal to Future Career Choices

September 24, 2011

Schoolchildren from the primary, secondary and pre-university levels can now chart their education and future career choices through ecareers.sg, an online portal that serves as a one-stop resource centre for various occupations, personality profile development and even a personal archive and planner.

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C Division Boys' Volleyball: Bukit Panjang Govt High beat Xinmin 3-0 to win championship

August 11, 2011

After charting zero defeats throughout the season, Bukit Panjang Government High School wrapped up the year with a 3-0 win over Xinmin Secondary School to clinch the National C Division Boys' Volleyball Championship.

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C Division Basketball: Unity Sec sweep national titles in contrasting fashion

August 9, 2011

Unity Secondary School scoops up both the boys' and girls' titles in the National C Division Basketball Championships. But whereas the girls cruised to victory with a 73-51 win over Anglican High, the boys faced stiffer resistance in a match against Catholic High School that ended 63-59.

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New Journeys Begin at the Opening of the 3rd ASEAN School Games

July 12, 2011

After months of rehearsals and rigorous training, students from all over Singapore unleashed their talents at the opening ceremony of the 3rd ASEAN School Games. The evening of music, dance and drama was also the scene of new bonds, friendships and experiences that would be forever cherished.

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Learning to Create and Cooperate at the New Media Academy

July 7, 2011

Putting the spotlight on the potential and power of new media tools, the New Media Academy recently wrapped up a three-day fiesta of digital magic and creative learning at Innova Junior College.

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A Division 400m Hurdles: Timothee Yap of HCI breaks record twice to win gold

May 10, 2011

Two records are broken in a day as Timothee Yap of Hwa Chong Institution races to gold in the A Division 400m Hurdles at the 52nd National Schools Tracks and Field Championships.

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Granting A Helping Hand and More in Special Education

April 28, 2011

Children with autism benefit from the attention provided in classes with low teacher-student ratios. Providing further support in this regard is a recently announced High Needs Grant that provides for more teacher-aides in special education schools such as St Andrew's Autism School.

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Supporting Low Income Students with High Potential

April 12, 2011

Two secondary students from low income families are aiming high thanks to assistance schemes by their schools and MOE for deserving youths in need. With less to worry about on the financial front, students can set their sights on overcoming academic challenges and exploring the world around them.

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More Room for Discovery and Growth in Enhanced Infrastructure for Primary Schools

April 5, 2011

Pupils will have more space to exercise their bodies and much more opportunities for mental exploration and creative expression, as MOE rolls out facilities to support a holistic primary education experience. In this photo essay, we offer a glimpse into the future of primary education in Singapore through schools with redesigned classrooms as well as enhanced infrastructure for physical activities and the performing arts.

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Preparing for Primary Education

March 3, 2011

Schools are beefing up their facilities to deliver a more holistic learning experience for primary school pupils. But as parents heard at a recent MOE Seminar, families, too, have a vital part to play to make the transition from kindergarten to Primary 1 a process that cultivates a love for learning and discovery.

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On the Journey to Excellence

January 21, 2011

From 'great to excellent' was how international management consultants described Singapore's education system and its progress in a recent report on the world's school systems. The country's drive towards excellence in education has seen a shift over the decades from a survival phase to one that seeks to maximise the potential of every student. This achievement, according to the report, has come from efforts to raise the calibre of teachers and principals as well as the encouragement of innovation in schools.

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Learning and Teaching a World Language (part 2): The Role of Teachers in English

January 11, 2011

Teachers play a crucial role in imparting essential English language skills as well as serve as role models for children from non-English speaking environments, according to Mdm Low Khah Gek, Director of Curriculum of Planning and Development at MOE. In this interview, Mdm Low shares what MOE is doing to boost the effectiveness of English teaching in Singapore schools.

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Learning and Teaching a World Language: Strengthening English in Singapore Schools

January 6, 2011

Why is English still an important language and what is MOE doing to help Singapore students master English? MOE Director of Curriculum Planning and Development Mdm Low Khah Gek shares in this interview, the first of a two-part article, why English remains a priority in education and the steps taken to maintain and raise English standards in schools.

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Rolling Good Times: New Initiatives in Education in 2010

December 28, 2010

Marking a year of progress in education on many fronts, here's a round-up of some of the far-reaching initiatives announced by MOE in 2010. Parents and pupils alike can look forward to schools that nurture creativity through art and music, greater support for language learning as well as a new and bigger spread of choices in post-secondary and tertiary education.

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ITE boys beat Ngee Ann Poly in POL-ITE basketball for perfect record

November 18, 2010

In a dramatic turnaround, the Institute of Technical Education men's team bounced back from a first-quarter deficit to beat Ngee Ann Polytechnic 81-55. With the win, ITE placed themselves in the driving seat for the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) basketball title with four wins in four games.

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Students of Arabic discover a language of rich roots and rewards

November 9, 2010

Secondary students now have the option of learning the lingua franca and cultures of the Middle East by taking Arabic as a third language. Attending classes at the MOE Language Centre, some 170 students tackle the intricacies of a tongue with a unique script and sounds, and get to immerse themselves in a world of ancient civilisations and proud heritage.

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IVP Track and Field: Dipna Lim Prasad and Valerie Pereira almost break national record in scintillating 200m duel

November 4, 2010

At the recent Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Track and Field Championships, two young athletes from NTU almost made it into the record books when they came within milliseconds of shattering a 26-year-old national record.

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A Dream to Dive For

October 19, 2010

From history books to the record books, Rainer Ng is a young athlete with a broad and balanced range of interests. A familiar name now, thanks to his silver medal in the 50-metre backstroke event at the Youth Olympic Games, Rainer's achievements in the pool are the result of much personal sacrifice as well as a steely determination to give his best in both the sporting and schooling arenas.

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Dancing Circles around Stereotypes

September 16, 2010

MOE Senior Specialist for CCA (Dance) Mr Peter Gn has had a full and colourful career with MOE, having choreographed for major events like the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), National Day Parade and other key MOE events. His job also requires coming up with innovative programmes for students and teachers in dance CCAs, and forging alliances with local and international dance groups and organisations to create new platforms for dance performance.

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A Stunning Performance, A Special Experience

August 19, 2010

July 31 and August 1 marked an important weekend for some 20 students from APSN Chao Yang Special School and MINDS Fernvale Gardens School - they performed alongside their counterparts from mainstream schools at Ngee Ann City for the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF). This is the fifth year that the SYF has included students from special education schools, as part of an initiative to promote better understanding and foster friendship between students with special needs and students in mainstream schools.

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Primary Education: the Beginning of a Journey

July 27, 2010

Primary education in Singapore is carried out over six years and is aimed at building strong foundations in languages (English and Mother Tongue), Mathematics and Science. Students also undergo lessons in moral education, physical education, and learn about art and interpersonal skills. The following suggestions may be helpful in giving parents mental preparation as you try to ensure that your child's education gets off to a good start.

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A Fair and Transparent System: Pri 1 Registration

July 5, 2010

It's that time of the year again for Pri 1 registration. While it is known that all schools in Singapore have their own own strengths, parents may still cling to their opinions about their preferred school, thus stirring more anxiety around the registration process.

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Humanities Camp Launches Explorations Through Time and Space

June 10, 2010

The answers are out there, as Secondary students took to the field this June to discover how a good grasp of History and Geography helps one make sense of the world around them. The students emerged from a 3-day MOE Humanities Camp with first-hand insights and a deeper appreciation of the tools and techniques that historians and geographers use to understand the past and plan for the future.

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Bringing Sports To Students (part 2)

June 4, 2010

Continuing her interview on the sports in education, Ms Sum Chee Wah, MOE's Director of Education Programmes talk about boosting the professional development of PE teachers, promoting sports and the Olympic spirit through YOG-related programmes and how these activities make winners out of every participating student.

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Bringing Sports To Students (part 1)

June 2, 2010

Sports and games form a vital component of students' physical and mental development, and MOE therefore seeks to instill a love for sports as well as healthy sporting values among young people. In this interview, MOE's Director of Education Programmes, Ms Sum Chee Wah, shares her views on the role of sports in education as well as how the ministry is developing Singapore's young sporting talents and encouraging greater participation in physical activities.

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Helping Children with Special Needs Learn and Live to the Fullest

May 24, 2010

The barriers between mainstream pupils and children with special needs are being broken thanks to early intervention, better training for teachers and facilitated integration programmes. Many of these initiatives hail from research and proposals developed by the Psychological Services Branch of MOE's Education Programmes Division, where Dr Sharifah Mariam Aljunied works to find ways of helping more special needs pupils fit in better and learn alongside their mainstream peers.

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Newest JSA Seeks to Bowl You Over

May 21, 2010

Bowling is one of the latest sports to get its own Joint Sports Academy, giving promising athletes from primary schools all over the island a centralised facility to train, compete and hone their abilities. For one young bowler, the chance to receive systematic coaching and pit her skills against older players has strengthened her resolve to aim higher and honour the warm support she gets from her schoolmates.

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CL 'B' syllabus injects fresh zeal into Chinese Language classes

May 13, 2010

Helping students become assured in speaking and adept in listening is a key goal of CL 'B' lessons at St Hilda's Secondary School, a CL 'B' centre for schools in the east zone. Audio clips and other examples from real life allow students to tune in to how Chinese Language works in authentic settings. Teachers also guide smaller classes where they can work on the difficulties faced by individual learners and more easily encourage the students to communicate using the language with their fellow schoolmates.

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B Division Artistic Gymnastics - a Photo Story

April 27, 2010

Strength and rhythmic grace rule on the parallel bars and balance beam during the final rounds of the 2010 B Division Artistic Gymnastics Championship. We present a photo story of the action in tucked dismounts, wolf jumps and other backbending routines.

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51st National Inter-School Track and Field Championships

April 22, 2010

The shattering of an 11-year-old 1500m record by Zachary Ryan Devaraj was one of the highlights of the National Inter-School Track and Field Championships, which took place on 14 April 2010. In this photo story, we bring you the highlights and moments of intensity that the athletes and spectators shared on the track at Chua Chu Kang Stadium.

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Integrating Students with Hearing Impairment into Mainstream Schools

April 8, 2010

Special Education pupils such as Nurul Arina bte Abdullah sit in class alongside their normal peers, thanks to early diagnosis of their impairment and appropriate intervention strategies. Through satellite partnerships between Special Education schools and their mainstream counterparts, hearing impaired pupils get a shot at independent learning and a chance to lead a normal life and realise their academic potential.

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Making Pre-school Education Better

February 5, 2010

Find out more about what goes on at MOE's Pre-School Education Branch, through the eyes of Ms Carol Loi, Senior Head for Pre-School Administration and an active parent with young children.

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Talk of the Class: A Year of Change and Celebration

December 31, 2009

As the enhancements to primary school education gradually roll out, pupils can look forward to a more engaging style of learning.

From changes that add a holistic depth to primary education to a choice line-up of pathways for post secondary students, 2009 has been a busy one for the Ministry of Education (MOE). The seeds for a more well-rounded learning experience in primary schools were planted, while new institutions were launched, signalling exciting times ahead in local education.

2009 was also the year we celebrated the exuberance and talents of our youth, who wowed the crowds at the Asian Youth Games with their dazzling performances, inspiring volunteerism and outstanding sportsmanship.

As the new year begins, Schoolbag takes a look at some of the landmarks of Singapore education during the past 12 months.

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JSA Graduates are Game to Pursue Their Passion in Sports

December 24, 2009

144 primary school athletes received certificates that marked the end of two years of intensive training to develop their sporting talents under the MOE-Junior Sports Academies (JSA) programme.

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PE gets a Running Start into the 'O' Levels

December 22, 2009

Getting up to speed with lessons in the sports hall.

Most of us are familiar with the usual 'O' level subjects such as Mathematics and Chemistry. But what about an 'O' level subject in Physical Education (PE)?

Believe it or not, that's just what about twenty students at North Vista Secondary School sat for this October in a very special examination. For the school, it was also a major milestone as this was the first time that the students were taking their 'O' levels in a subject that develops and challenges both their physical and mental prowess.

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Asian Youth Games ends amidst songs and dance

July 30, 2009

It was a night to remember. With a scrumptious dinner, dazzling performances and engaging games, the 2009 Asian Youth Games (AYG) Closing Ceremony provided close to a thousand youth athletes and officials an opportunity to come together and revel in their achievements and the friendship fostered.

After nine days, nine sports and 455 medals later, the inaugural AYG in Singapore came to a successful end on 7 July. While some athletes have excelled and others have had disappointments, their biggest achievement lies in the way everyone had embraced the spirit of Olympism and displayed true sportsmanship throughout the period of the Games.

While the Closing Ceremony held at Swissötel marked the end of the first ever youth multi-sports event in Asia, for the young athletes, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead in sports.

Here's a closer look at what went on during the Closing Ceremony.

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Giving from the Heart

July 16, 2009

2009 OYEA recipient Mr Eugene Ng sometimes plays the school mascot Liger, a lion-tiger hybrid whose name is a reminder of the school values (Loyalty, Integrity, Generosity, Enthusiasm, Responsibility).

"It's my personal mission to make people laugh," declares Eugene Ng Ming Teck, recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) 2009, "because when they laugh, it shows that they're happy, which in turn gives me joy."

This Jing Shan Primary School teacher loves using drama and "over-the-top" ways to make both pupils and colleagues laugh in school. He has assumed the roles of the God of Fortune and Big-headed Doll during the school's Lunar New Year celebrations. And he was not only part of the team that created Liger, the school mascot (a cross between a lion and tigress), he's also donned a furry "liger" suit complete with a long tail to play the role. "The children loved to pull my tail," he kids.

But what Mr Ng has accomplished as a teacher is not just entertaining his pupils - he also opens their eyes to the world beyond the school and how they can contribute to it.

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Opening the Eyes and Minds of Youth

July 14, 2009

2009 OYEA recipient Mr Muhammad Rezal bin Ramli

2009 OYEA recipient Mr Muhammad Rezal is the president of the Tchoukball Association of Singapore and a qualified tchoukball coach who trains not only teams in his school but also the national women's team.

"You never know what might hit them, or when - that's why I like to expose young people to as many activities as possible," says Mr Muhammad Rezal bin Ramli, one of the three recipients of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2009. What might hit them, he hopes, is a spark of interest or a cause, which would move the individual deeply to pursue it in what Mr Rezal calls "auto mode" - as an integral and natural part of his life.

For Mr Rezal, a geography teacher and Head of Student Leadership (Internal) at Ping Yi Secondary School, he was "hit" twice - first by tchoukball (a sport similar to handball) when he was an undergraduate, then by community service in 2006. In fact, he was so crazy about the former that he borrowed and set up the equipment in his university classroom, hoping to interest his friends in a game. Although no one took up his offer, Mr Rezal made a note of the game for future reference. After all, it would be suitable for schools as it is a non-contact sport, and can be attempted by players of all shape, size and ability.

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Registering Your Child for Pri 1

July 7, 2009

Registration for Pri 1 classes in 2010 opens on 7 July 2009.

The registration of children for admission to Pri 1 classes in 2010 will be open from Tuesday, 7 July 2009 to Friday, 28 August 2009. If your child was born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2004, it's time to register him or her for admission to Pri 1 in 2010.

For those unfamiliar with Pri 1 registration, you may have some questions on your mind. To help you out, here are a few FAQs:

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Asian Youth Games Opens with High Energy, High Spirit

July 1, 2009

You could feel the pulsating music and high octane energy the moment you stepped into the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Responding readily to the emcees’ request for “Let’s hear you scream!”, and participating wholeheartedly in the “wave” and mini-cheer contests, the audience was primed for an exciting line-up at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2009. Themed “Asia’s Youth, Our Future”, the AYG is the first multi-sport event for youth in the history of the Olympic Council of Asia. From 29 June to 7 July, it brings together some 1,400 outstanding athletes aged 14 to 17 from 43 National Olympic Councils (NOCs).

Torch bearers (from front) swimmer Tao Li, bowler Remy Ong and shooter Jasmine Ser enter the Stadium to thunderous applause at about 8.45 p.m.

The climax of the ceremony was the arrival of the AYG torches at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In the lead-up to this, the torch relays had passed through Singapore’s heartlands and Orchard Road on 28 June, as well as over 45 schools on 29 June. At 8.45 p.m. yesterday, the torches finally arrived at the Stadium, carried by Singapore’s own young athletes: swimmer Tao Li, bowler Remy Ong and shooter Jasmine Ser.

Accompanied by rapturous applause and cheers, the trio ran in unison up the stage and stepped toward the cauldron. As the platform slowly elevated the athletes and cauldron, they dipped their torches into the cauldron and lit the AYG flame just before 9pm. The simultaneous burst of pyrotechnics accompanied the electrifying start to the 1st AYG 2009 in Singapore.

Here's a closer look at some of the exuberant performances by Singapore students that marked the occasion.

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JSAs Court Young Talent for Smashing Results

June 16, 2009

Passionate about the sport, Yvonne is happiest when she is playing on the badminton court.

Some say patience is a virtue.

Not for Yvonne Tan Hui Juan. For within the short space of one year and defying all expectations, the Pri 6 student from Yew Tee Primary School smashed her way from obscurity to be selected for training with the Singapore Badminton Association Junior Squad.

It's no mean feat, as Yvonne was the last participant to join the first batch of players from the MOE's Junior Sports Academies (JSA) programme in February 2008. But how this rapid rise in the court rankings occurred is itself a series of serendipitous events well worth telling.

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Singapore Youth Festival 2009

June 13, 2009

A dance performance.

Come join us this July in a celebration of our youth's vibrancy. As part of the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), our students will be putting up a dazzling array of performances that will be a showcase of their talent, enthusiasm and energy.

Tickets have gone on sale at SISTIC for the Choral Presentation, Concert Band Presentation, Singapore National Youth Orchestra Concert, and the SYF Festival Orchestra Concert. There are also opportunities to revel in the beautiful music and the visual extravaganza of dances at the various free SYF outreach events.

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Getting High on English Literacy

June 2, 2009

At the "Rolling Bee' stall, a pupil demonstrates her spelling ability.

A crescendo of lively squeals and noisy cheers fills the air as over a hundred pupils take their turn at five game stalls set up in a school sports hall that has been transformed into a carnival of colours.

At one stall, a pupil is visibly excited as he attempts to beat the clock by reading all the words on a given list within a short 30 seconds. Across the hall, another pupil has her brows in knots as she tries to figure out what letters represent the sound of a word being read to her by another schoolmate.

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Helping Late Bloomers Fulfil their Potential

May 21, 2009

Discipline and determination have helped Jasper (middle) reach his goal of qualifying for a N(T) course.

Jasper Lim is a young and talented exponent of Chinese martial arts.

Unfortunately, it's a skill that he would have loved to trade for a place in a Normal Academic (N(A)) class when he entered secondary school. For despite winning first place in an inter-school Wushu competition during Pri 6, Jasper's PSLE results were only good enough to qualify him in a Normal Technical (N(T)) course.

"When I was in primary school, I didn't study hard," admits Jasper.

Applying the discipline that honed his wushu skills to his studies, Jasper drew up a strict timetable to keep himself focused on his schoolwork. His hard work paid off when he was allowed to transfer to the N(A) course after half a year at Pioneer Secondary School.

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The Best of Student Digital Videos

April 24, 2009

"Why, not happy ah? Want to 'coral' is it?!"

No, this isn't about aquariums or environmentalists. It's a line from a video advertisement by Shuqun Primary School pupils that took one of the top prizes at this year's Schools Digital Media Awards. Of the 458 entries in digital video, animation and audio, 65 were honoured with prizes that recognised their creativity, ingenuity and team work.

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A Closer Look at New Learning Spaces in Primary Schools

March 18, 2009

A quick glance at school buildings in Singapore might leave the impression that not much has changed in the last decade or so - but zoom in close on some primary schools and you might see a landscape that's surprisingly different from what most of us think a school looks like. Different types of classrooms and spaces are popping up, and learning doesn't have to take place only in a typical classroom set-up.

Looking at the design of primary school facilities was one of the priorities raised by the Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) Committee, which made its preliminary recommendations to MOE in January 2009. The idea is that primary schools ought to have spaces that facilitate engaged learning, both academic and non-academic. For example, they could have:

Redesigned classrooms that encourage greater interaction and self-discovery;
Outdoor experiential learning facilities for hands-on learning;
Special rooms and facilities to support the new Programme for Active Learning, which would provide all pupils with the opportunity to participate in sports and outdoor education, and performing art and music.

Take a closer look at some primary schools that are already leading the way in creating these new learning spaces. Based on these schools' experiences, MOE is studying the possibility of providing some of these facilities to all our primary schools. Someday soon, all primary schools might look like this!

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A Star Performer

February 27, 2009

The star of the moment, Mr Loo, with his colleagues.

Teachers aren't the only ones who can make a difference in schools. Mr Loo Sin Yew isn't a teacher, but at Balestier Hill Secondary School he's earned the admiration of both colleagues and parents for his willingness to go beyond his regular duties.

This was topped by his receiving an Excellent Service Award from SPRING Singapore in 2008, one of just seven award-winners from schools who received the award at Star level. Yet the modest corporate service officer says, "I was wondering what I had done to earn a nomination. I feel that all I've done is just part of my duty." It took some cajoling on our photographer's part to convince the quiet, reserved man to have his pictures taken.

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Thanking Your Lucky Stars

February 24, 2009

Balancing discipline with education is all part of a day's work for Mr Ganesan.

Mention 'student discipline' in school and you'll immediately get a reaction from students. In fact, they'll probably make every effort to avoid anything to do with the term.

So when Mr Ganesan Arumugan, Discipline Master at Northland Primary School, heard he had been awarded the 2008 Excellent Service Award from SPRING Singapore, he could hardly contain his incredulity. Moreover, he was one of seven award-winners from schools who received the award at Star level.

"I never thought I'd get something like this because I'm the Discipline Master," says a bemused Mr Ganesan, who is also the Head of Department for Pupil Development. "I thought parents wouldn't like me because I'm firm when I'm dealing with them, or that students will hate me because I'm always telling them off."

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Learning Chinese - from the Classroom into the Community

December 23, 2008

Pupils can deepen their Chinese learning by using it in real-life settings outside school.

This is the final article in Schoolbag's series of 10 features on the new primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 22 May 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

"The games I enjoy are bing zhua zei (cops and robbers) and laoying zhua xiaoji (the eagle catches the chicks)." "Mum enjoys going to WuJie Lu (Orchard Road). She says that is where she goes to guangjie (do shopping)." "Dad wants me to go next door to borrow the equipment we need for a barbecue party. How can I say this to the auntie next door in Chinese?"

It may not sound quite right to some ears, but these examples show how children actively build up their knowledge and fluency in the Chinese language. Many kids today grow up speaking English at home, so it's no mean feat to get them to use Chinese phrases and words readily in their daily routine.

If we want our children to reach their full potential, learning and practising Chinese must go on even after classes end each day. Children learn best in a supportive social environment with many opportunities to apply what they have learnt. With this in mind, the new primary school Chinese Language curriculum recognises the value of the broader community in fostering a lifelong habit of learning Chinese.

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Learning Chinese - Going Beyond Grades in Pupil Assessment

December 9, 2008

Classroom discussions and projects now complement written tests for Chinese learning.

This is the ninth article in Schoolbag’s series of 10 features on the new primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 15 May 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

Mention “assessment” and pupils and parents alike will shudder at the thought of tests and examinations. Dreaded they may be, but exams remain vital tools to gauge the relative abilities of pupils. However, it’s also important to point out that written tests and examinations don’t provide the whole picture.

Learning is a continual process. Thus, instead of relying solely on formal exams, schools are increasingly turning to continual modes of assessment. Project work, learning portfolios, class reports or even classroom quizzes and group discussions complement written tests to give a more comprehensive view of pupils’ abilities. Pupils also get to display their strengths in different areas and feel less pressure from examinations.

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Top PSLE Scorer’s Steady Route to Success

November 28, 2008

Yen Jean (far right) having fun with classmates on a school trip in Perth to learn about Future Problem Solving.

No school work after dinner! Such a piece of advice would stun many parents. But for Mrs Wee Pei Fong, the idea of burning the midnight oil every day for months is out of the question. Despite this unconventional practice, her daughter, Yen Jean, topped her cohort in this year’s PSLE results. So what’s their secret?

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Outstanding Youth In Education Award - Nominations are now open!

November 19, 2008

If you know of exceptional young teachers who have demonstrated great efforts in motivating and inspiring our youth, The National Youth Council and The Ministry of Education invites you to honour their achievement by sending in nominations for the Outstanding Youth In Education Award.

The Award gives national recognition to young teachers who are actively involved in youth development and the role they play in moulding the future of our nation. These role models are educators who personify youthful idealism, energy, enthusiasm and play a critical role in developing our youths beyond the formal curriculum.

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Learning Chinese - Teaching Through Online Games

November 6, 2008

A teacher displays DIR instructional materials on a screen projection.

This is the eighth article in Schoolbag's series of 10 features on the new primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 8 May 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

Using mobile phones and computers, and surfing the Internet are second nature for children today. They grow up playing and communicating with friends and family using all sorts of digital devices.

So it's no surprise that when these same children enter the classroom, they readily learn through information technology (ICT). Leveraging on this interest, MOE has developed a comprehensive set of Digital Instructional Resources (DIR) to help teachers use IT in Chinese Language teaching. Designed to make learning more interesting for pupils, these wide-ranging interactive multimedia materials cover various aspects of the curriculum and complement the content of existing textbooks and activity books.

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Learning Chinese - Writing It Right through Pictures and Phrases

November 4, 2008

Pupils hold up beautifully decorated written work.

This is the seventh article in Schoolbag's series of 10 features on the new primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 1 May 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

How can you write if you know neither the words nor what to write about?

The ability to pen your thoughts is vital to mastering any language, including Chinese. But before a child can do so, he or she must be able to recognise the characters that make up the language, as well as understand how to use them in speech and writing.

That is why the new Chinese Language curriculum seeks an appropriate balance in its emphases on reading, writing, listening and speaking. Far from neglecting written composition, the curriculum provides a firm grounding in the skills needed to write in Chinese, be it letters to loved ones or sharing personal stories in essays.

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Learning Chinese - The Rewards of Reading with Your Child

October 28, 2008

Learning Chinese by reading with your child is rewarding for both parent and pupil.

This is the sixth article in Schoolbag's series of 10 features on the new primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 24 April 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

You may have tangible wealth untold,

caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be -

I had a mother who read to me.

In his poem 'The Reading Mother', American poet Strickland Gillilan compares the superficial beauty of material wealth to the spiritual riches of a child whose mother reads to him. It's a concise reminder that the joy of reading a good book with one's family can foster good reading habits in children.

This applies to reading in Chinese too. Long wordlists and supplementary assignments used to dominate Chinese language learning in the past. But MOE's new Chinese language curriculum allows schools to make reading a core activity for pupils. And besides reading clubs and other school-based reading activities, parents too can play a vital role in getting their children to love reading in Chinese.

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Learning Chinese - Using Songs, Stories and Scenes from Real Life

October 21, 2008

Poems and songs help pupils learn Chinese characters and improve their verbal skills.

This is the fifth article in Schoolbag’s series of 10 features on the primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 10 April 08. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

Chinese is both an ancient and living tongue, but how do we keep the language alive at home when many families now speak mainly English instead of Mandarin or Chinese dialects? With these and other changes in the social environment, many children are growing up unable to understand or communicate in Chinese until they go to school.

With this new challenge to educators, MOE’s new Chinese Language curriculum for primary schools now emphasises the acquisition of oral communication skills as the foundation for subsequent learning. At the lower primary levels, students start by listening to their teachers speak on interesting topics that grab the students’ attention and broaden their views. Next, students imitate the speaker and practise expressing themselves verbally. This allows teachers to gauge if a child has listened attentively and understood a particular topic or passage.

Beyond this, students can build up their verbal skills through four fun teaching activities: role-play, reciting, songs and exercises in public speaking.

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From Investing Money to Inspiring Minds

October 21, 2008

Taking care of the mind and body at Coral Secondary School has helped Mrs Diana Lim win the President's Award for Teachers.

"To teach is to learn twice" - this dictum rings especially true for Mdm Diana Ng Yee Ping, as she discovers each day how her career choice is shaping the future of young lives in school. A teacher at Coral Secondary School, Mrs Diana Lim (as she is known to her students and colleagues) is also a born-again student who is pursuing post-graduate studies to boost her effectiveness in class.

Given her dedication and contributions, one might have thought that Mrs Lim was born to be a teacher from the very beginning. But for this 40-year old who teaches General Science and Biology, teaching was a mid-career switch that has now yielded a wonderful reward: the 2008 President's Award for Teachers.

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Q&A on Choosing a Secondary School (Part 2)

October 16, 2008

Panelists Mrs Patricia Chong (L) and Mrs Mary Koh were kept busy answering the non-stop stream of questions from parents.

From language and literature to attending chapel, the speakers at a recent MOE-NLB Seminar for Parents addressed common concerns faced by parents of secondary school students.

Here's a recap of some of the queries posed during the Q&A session and the joint responses by Mrs Patricia Chong, a MOE Parent Ambassador, and Mrs Mary Koh, Principal of Greendale Secondary School. Read Part 1 of the Q&A (about school admission and cut-off points) here.

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Q&A on Choosing a Secondary School (Part 1)

October 14, 2008

Panelists Mrs Patricia Chong (L) and Mrs Mary Koh were kept busy answering the non-stop stream of questions from parents.

From cut-off points to choosing between IP and normal schools, a cascade of questions greeted the speakers at a recent MOE-NLB Seminar for Parents. Held in September at the Woodlands Regional Library, the event provided about 100 participants with information and advice on selecting a secondary school to suit their child's needs and interests.

After her presentation, MOE Parent Ambassador Mrs Patricia Chong, together with Mrs Mary Koh, Principal of Greendale Secondary School, patiently tackled questions from parents about the options available for secondary school education. Here's a selection of questions and the answers given by Mrs Chong and Mrs Koh.

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A Teacher Who Touches Lives

October 7, 2008

Learning science and maths is always a fun-filled adventure in Mrs Lee Kok Hong’s classes.

What do you do with a boy who “could not care less”? Who keeps failing his maths and science and makes mischief in class? Who skips school for days and whose folks have never attended a single parent-teacher meeting?

The easy way out would be to give up on him, but Mrs Lee Kok Hong was moved to give a little extra time and care to this boy. Learning that he came from a broken home, suffered from leg injuries and had no one to turn to, the Temasek Primary School teacher effectively became his godmother in school. She lent him a listening ear and guided him back to class, earning for her efforts a solemn promise that he would pass his Mathematics and Science at the PSLE.

Mrs Lee’s concern for this pupil’s education and emotional plight sums up her passion for her pupils and firm belief that “teaching is not just about providing book knowledge.” Her outlook is no doubt shared by the two other winners of the 2008 President’s Award for Teachers, who with Mrs Lee received the award from President S.R. Nathan on 1 September at the Istana.

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Re-balancing for a More Holistic Education in Primary Schools

September 26, 2008

Pr 4 girls learn the finer skills of ball control

CCAs extended to P1 and P2 students to better develop leadership qualities and mould their characters. Innovative pedagogical approaches both in and out of the classroom to develop lifeskills and values in the young. Single-session primary schools that allow creative and flexible time-tabling within the curriculum, and schools possibly starting the day slightly later.

These were the broad directions of the review at MOE’s annual Work Plan Seminar on Thursday, 25 Sep 08 where Minister Ng Eng Hen said more could be done to inculcate lifeskills and values in the young, starting from primary education.

Continue reading “Re-balancing for a More Holistic Education in Primary Schools”»

Motivating Minds with Maths

September 18, 2008

President’s Award for Teachers winner Mrs Eileen Ong uses maths games to motivate her pupils and teach lasting values.

Step into Mrs Eileen Ong-Chua Li Ling’s Mathematics class and you can expect a life-changing experience. For apart from helping pupils make sense of numbers and equations, Mrs Ong (as she’s known to her colleagues and pupils) peppers her lessons with anecdotes from real life that drive home lasting values and formulae for a fruitful future.

Mrs Ong’s winning blend of maths and motivation has touched so many lives that the Haig Girls’ School teacher was named one of three recipients of the 2008 President’s Award for Teachers. This annual award honours teachers who have demonstrated outstanding passion, innovation and dedication, and is based on nominations by students, parents and fellow teachers.

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Learning Chinese - a Fresh Approach to Reading and Writing

September 16, 2008

Teachers use character cards to teach pupils new words in Chinese.

This is the fourth article in Schoolbag’s series of 10 features on the primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 10 April 08. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

“Look, Ma! I can write ‘hand’ in Chinese! Today, Mrs Lee also taught me to recognise the characters that form the word ‘homework’. It’s so easy to remember just by learning the parts that make up each character!”

Hands up, all who’d welcome such enthusiasm from your child after school everyday. Thanks to the new Primary 1 and Primary 2 Chinese Language curriculum, such scenes could be happening in homes already. For primary school children, even those from English-speaking homes, learning Chinese can now be both easy and exciting, as well as an experience that they truly relish.

So what’s changed?

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English as it is spoken, by LSP pupils

September 12, 2008

The Northland Primary School chorus enjoys performing their favourite scene from "Billy McBrown".

In some fairy tales, dreams do come true. At the LSP (Learning Support Programme) Fest on 22 August, the student playing Goldilocks stood up with bold assurance to address her schoolmate playing Little Bear - who would’ve thought that this budding young actress had not been able to read at all when she started primary school a year ago? Likewise, no one would have guessed that the Bee who engaged the Ant in a chirpy chat was played by a once shy and withdrawn little girl who rarely uttered a word.

As they brought their favourite stories to life with colourful costumes, lively acting and a palpable sense of enthusiasm, these Pri 2 pupils exuded confidence and verbal fluency in English. Their achievement on stage during the LSP Fest is a tribute to the success of the LSP, which provides specialised support for Pri 1 pupils with weak English speaking and literacy skills.

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Learning Chinese - Every School Can Do It Differently

September 4, 2008

Learning the Chinese language takes many different forms in the classroom.

This is the third article in Schoolbag’s series of 10 features on the primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the previous ones here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 3 April 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

Vive la différence! Why should all schools be the same? Every child is unique and would learn more avidly if his or her education is tailored to draw out his or her full potential.

The good news is that primary schools now have more flexibility when it comes to teaching the Chinese language. The new Chinese Language curriculum not only brings changes to key learning processes and outcomes (as we saw in previous articles), it also allows schools to adapt part of the curriculum to the specific needs of their students. Depending on how they best learn, students might find themselves poring over colourfully illustrated guidebooks, exploring the flavours of rare Chinese herbs or pursuing a story as a student reporter.

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Technology Goes to School at iCTLT 2008

August 28, 2008

iCTLT was a chance for schools to show off their latest e-learning and IT classroom strategies.

“But it’s homework!” That’s what your children might insist the next time you catch them blogging on the Internet instead of slogging at their worksheets. And they’d probably be right. There’s no escaping technology in today’s connected world, and Singapore schools are gearing up to give students a head start on the skills and tools they’ll need in a society that values creativity and connectivity.

Blogging was just one of the new waves in the education landscape highlighted at this year’s International Conference on Teaching and Learning with Technology (iCTLT). More than 1,800 international delegates gathered at Suntec City to hear how teachers and schools across the world are using new technologies to enhance the learning experience.

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Learning Chinese with Module Combinations that Match Every Student's Ability

August 18, 2008

The new Chinese Language primary schol curriculum offers more flexibility for students just starting out on the language.

This is the second article in Schoolbag’s series of 10 features on the primary school Chinese Language curriculum. Read the first one here.

An earlier version of this article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 27 March 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

Parents may naturally think that their children’s experiences in school are, when you get down to the basics, just like their own. But times have changed, and we educators must likewise adapt to a new generation of learners so that we can remain effective teachers.

When it comes to teaching the Chinese language, one major change is that unlike in earlier decades, many children now grow up in families speaking mainly, or even only, English. Thus, we are seeing more fresh Pri 1 students who have no exposure to the Chinese language. However, there are also students who have some foundation in the language.

How then can we teach all our Pri 1 students and bring them up to speed together?

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NLB-MOE Seminar for Parents on Secondary School Education

August 8, 2008

Preparing your child for secondary school can make a positive difference in their learning.

If your child is moving on to secondary school next year, this seminar is for you! Learn more about:

Choosing a secondary school and supporting your child in secondary school
The secondary school system
Tips for parents to encourage reading

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Learning Chinese - Making It Fun

August 5, 2008

Primary school Chinese Language modular curriculum

The four principles of the Chinese Language modular curriculum for primary schools.

This article is the first of a series of 10 features on the new Chinese Language curriculum. The series was first published in Lianhe Zaobao from March 2007. For a Chinese version of this article, click here.

To understand the new Chinese Language modular curriculum for primary schools, you can start by looking at the four principles that anchor the curriculum:

“Listen and Speak More”;
“Recognise Characters Effectively”;
“Follow on with Reading and Writing"; and “
“Enjoy Chinese Language Learning”.

These phrases sum up the gist and goals of the new curriculum. The aim: to transform students’ learning experience with a fresh emphasis on outcomes and enjoyment. What’s new then?

Continue reading “Learning Chinese - Making It Fun”»

An Explosion of Ideas at ExCEL Fest (Part 2)

July 28, 2008

Parents had the chance to see innovative ways of teaching and learning at ExCEL Fest 2008.

Read part 1 of Schoolbag’s coverage here. People often say, “Let your ideas take flight and soar to new heights.” Well, students and teachers at Ping Yi Secondary School and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) have taken this advice both literally and in a literary sense. For their gumption, the two schools bagged Innergy Awards and shared the spotlight at this year’s ExCEL Fest, which honours outstanding educators who have found creative ways to take teaching further.

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An Explosion of Ideas at ExCEL Fest (Part 1)

July 25, 2008

Visitors young and old enjoyed the range of ideas and activities at ExCEL Fest 2008.

Fancy a shop-load of SPaM? Game for a little night Mu-seek? Or how about flipping an umbrella upside-down to turn it into a fish pond or flower pot? Don’t worry - there were no dubious emails or canned ham in this festival of ingenuity. Instead, ExCEL Fest 2008 at Suntec City on 5 July was a basket of innovative tricks and practices that parents could sample, to see how teachers have introduced to make learning more fun, enriching and meaningful.

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Visit the iCTLT exhibition!

July 23, 2008

Using IT in learning can help to spark a student's interest.

From virtual world storytelling to electronic progress reports, schools in Singapore are using the latest in IT to take creative learning up to the next level. Parents keen on finding out more will have the perfect opportunity to do so next month. At the upcoming International Conference on Teaching and Learning with Technology (iCTLT), an exhibition open to the public will showcase some of the best education practices found in this digital-learning age. Schoolbag takes a quick preview of what some schools will be showing off during the exhibition from 5 to 6 August 2008 at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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Let The Music Do The Talking

July 18, 2008

Mr Melvin Cher sharing tips with pupils in the guitar elective programme.

Listening to Mayflower Primary School teacher Cher Teck Yiang Luke Melvin wax lyrical about music and teaching, it’s difficult to believe that he used to be awkward and tongue-tied among strangers. “I was a bit of an introvert when I was younger. It was only at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where I studied Mass Communications, that I began to open up,” the affable, young teacher shares. As he explains it, “for the public relations and journalism modules at the polytechnic, we had to address large groups of people and with practice, I eventually managed to overcome my shyness.” He also became more actively involved with the youth ministry at his church and found that music was an effective way to connect with young people. Subsequently Mr Cher joined the National Institute of Education where he specialised in music education, and in 2005, he was posted to Mayflower Primary School. “Teaching provides me with the ideal opportunity to live out my passion for music and contribute to youth development,” he says. Now the Acting Subject Head for Art/Aesthetics and Head of the Performing Arts CCA, he is also one of the three recipients of the 2008 Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA).

Continue reading “Let The Music Do The Talking”»

Loving the Earth, and Teaching about It

July 16, 2008

Miss Chua is a Girl Guides captain and plays an active role in the CCA.

Ask Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School teacher Miss Chua Hwee Pheng about the love of her life, and she’ll point at her golden retriever, Rocky (also known as “Handsome”). He’s not the only animal that she sees regularly - Miss Chua is also an active volunteer with the Night Safari and ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society). “I love animals and I’m passionate about the state of the earth,” she declares. She’s passionate about teaching too. Miss Chua is the acting subject head for Social Studies covering the Humanities department, the National Education coordinator, Learning Festival committee member, and teacher-in-charge of the Girl Guides; she also sits on two committees at Girl Guides Singapore. A committed teacher, she has been nominated for the 2008 Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA).

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From Flab to Fit, and It Takes Only a Sharp Eye

July 14, 2008

Mr Quek believes pupils need to hone their "adversity quotient", in addition to academic and physical prowess.

From flab to fit, from spectator to skipper - had it not been for the sharp eye and constant encouragement of his secondary school PE teacher, Mr Quek Swee Nee would have likely grown up overweight, introverted, and, in all probability, a bystander in life. “I was a little overweight in secondary school, but I could complete the 2.4-kilometre run in 10 minutes. My teacher was quick to spot my potential and encouraged me to join the cross-country team,” he remembers. And while he did not make the school team, his teacher’s support opened his eyes to new opportunities. Today, Mr Quek is the Head of Department, Aesthetics/PE/CCA at Bukit View Primary School, with a string of sports-related achievements under his belt. The latest feather in his cap: winning the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA).

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A Tale of Two Schools

July 4, 2008

Subject-based banding was introduced in Pri 5 in all schools this year.

If you’re still not sure what is Subject-Based Banding in Pri 5, consider this explanation by then Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam in 2006: “What we are doing is moving from a fixed menu to an à la carte menu - choose the subjects you are strong in. For the subjects you are weak in, consolidate your learning at a foundation level." Every primary school has been given the autonomy to judge professionally how they can best carry out Subject-Based Banding for their school. Today, we take a closer look at how Keming Primary School and CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) have done it.

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Learning at Their Own Level in Pri 5

July 2, 2008

A variety of games help Pri 5 students at Gongshang Primary School with their Mathematics learning.

His eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration, Pri 5 student Daniel Ng Wei Xiang was racking his brains, trying to guess what his partner was drawing on the whiteboard. When realisation dawned, he burst out shouting, “Scientist!” - and was rewarded with whoops of joy and an advancement of one square for his team. It looks like just a game of Pictionary, but it was also an opportunity for Daniel and his classmates to build up their vocabulary. His teacher at Gongshang Primary School, Mdm Sharifah Rahmah, uses this to increase her students’ interest and confidence level in their Foundation English. Similarly, to help them in their Foundation Mathematics, she uses other activities like memory cards and Sudoku.

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A Sneak Peek at ExCEL Fest

June 23, 2008

ExCEL Fest - a chance for schools to showcase their innovative programmes.

Want to see what school life is like today, without having to step inside a school? Come to MOE’s annual ExCEL Fest on Saturday, 5 July, where there’ll be over 80 exhibition booths by schools showcasing their most creative teaching and learning activities. Classroom Experience activities will also allow visitors to sit in on simulated lessons, experiencing for themselves how innovative lessons are conducted today. Here’s a sneak preview of what some schools will be presenting at ExCEL Fest 2008 at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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Solving Real-world Problems with Students’ Mathematical Models

May 29, 2008

The Singapore International Mathematics Challenge 2008 drew talented mathematics students from around the world.

Here’s the situation: You’re a port operator who has to get ships unloaded of their container cargo as speedily and efficiently as possible. You’ve got over 60 ships passing through your port in the next five days, and you need to move them into berths, unload them and move them out again, with as few delays as possible. You have to figure out how to do this, using mathematical modelling based on a data set of information about the ship movements. And you have to do all this within 24 hours. Sound like a challenge for port engineers? Maybe - but they weren’t the ones who had the 24-hour deadline looming over them - it was a group of secondary school and JC students who did.

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She's got rhythm: Dance moves get Cheryl into her school of choice

May 2, 2008

Cheryl's talent in dance and rhythmic gymnastics helped her secure a place in St Margaret's Secondary School.

There are leaps and swings, rolls and runs, spirals and circles. With rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon, Cheryl Ng performs with fluid ease a range of sequences that blend precise control and rhythmic grace. A dancer at heart, the Sec 2 student can thank her art for the opportunity, through the Direct School Admission - Secondary Exercise (DSA-Sec), to take to the stage as well as pursue her studies at St Margaret's Secondary School.

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The Direct Track to Polytechnics

April 9, 2008

Chan Ya Yi secured a place in Ngee Ann Polytechnic through the DPA, after displaying a passion and aptitude for her chosen field, Mass Communications.

For many young and passionate people, it’s never too soon to work towards your dreams. Take Chan Ya Yi for example. Even as the 17-year-old sat for her GCE “O” Levels at Nan Hua High School last October, she was already looking forward to a new year of learning and activities at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where she had secured a place to pursue a diploma in Mass Communications through the Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA) exercise.

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Raising the Quality of Pre-school Education

April 7, 2008

New teaching methods can make pre-school learning more effective.

“We believe that better educated teachers will be able to perform their roles better, primarily because of the acquisition of a strong knowledge base from which to work their practical application,” notes Ms Magdalene Teow, Principal, Kinderland Serangoon. “As diversification in the pre-school sector intensifies, teaching in a pre-school requires an increasingly complex skill set that demands more of our teachers.”

Continue reading “Raising the Quality of Pre-school Education”»

Using Sports to Say Y.E.S. to Staying in School

April 4, 2008

Juying Primary School uses sport as a tool to reach out to students, and to help them work on issues of motivation and self-esteem.

“Goal! - and that’s another goal for Juying Primary School!” With the referee’s final whistle marking the end of the game, the on-court players and their team members at the sidelines erupt into loud cheers and high-fives. Team Juying has emerged second runner-up at the Inter-Primary Floorball (5-A-Side) Invitational at the 2007 Sports Carnival organised by Jurong West Secondary School. The victory was all the more sweeter as the players had picked up the sport less than six months ago. The team comprised of pupils from Juying Primary School’s pastoral care and counselling support programme - Y.E.S. (Young Eagles Sports Club) Club; a school programme which aimed to work closely with at-risk pupils to support and guide them.

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Wanted! - Innovative, Creative Individuals for School of Science and Technology

March 19, 2008

Students at the SST will have wider options for applied subjects at “O” Level, such as Design Studies, Environmental Science and Technology, Biotechnology and Media Studies.

A secondary school where “students learn by experimenting, tinkering, and by taking a project through all its stages - from concept to design to building the models”. This is the essence of the upcoming School of Science and Technology, Singapore (SST), which will offer “a new option for students who are likely to be university-bound, but who want a solid academic foundation and immersion in real-world applications,” said Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at this year’s Budget Debate.

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Junior Sports Academies Seek Smashing Results

February 11, 2008

Lim Jie Han from Henry Park Primary School will enter the school's Junior Sports Academy for badminton.

You could say the ball is in their court - for student athletes, that is. Come February 2008, they will have new avenues to bring out the best of their abilities. Take Lim Jie Han, a Pri 5 school badminton player at Henry Park Primary School, for example. Under a pilot Junior Sports Academy (JSA) programme to be launched by MOE in February 2008, Jie Han will have the opportunity to train with top coaches and spar with the best of his peers.

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Helping Teachers to GROW

February 6, 2008

Grow 2.0 unveils new incentives to boost the number of teachers.

To keep the teaching career attractive to both new and serving teachers, the Ministry of Education has unveiled Grow 2.0 - a new package of incentives that offers teachers greater rewards, career advancement, professional development and well-being.

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Experiencing the Pre-U Seminar

February 4, 2008

Pre-U Seminar participants came from junior colleges, polytechnics and Integrated Programme schools across Singapore.

What does Singapore and being Singaporean mean to you? For some, it is “the place where I grew up”. For others, national stereotypes like “being kiasu” come to mind. Starting with these mindsets, students from junior colleges (JCs) across Singapore set off on a learning journey at the 2007 Pre-University Seminar. From 21 to 25 May 2007, the students stayed at the residential halls of Nanyang Technology University (NTU) to explore the theme of “iSingapore: Challenge, Create, Connect”, which looked at the challenges facing Singapore and Singaporeans in this era of a globalised economy and borderless communities.

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Excellence at Your Service

January 25, 2008

With his team of security officers, Mr Ramachandran Nair (centre) ensures that Northland Primary is kept safe.

Ask Mr Ramachandran Nair of Northland Primary School or Mr Mohd Amin bin Kadir of Pasir Ris Secondary School about what they do, and it can run the gamut from keeping the school mosquito-free to designing an electronics learning centre. They are not teachers, but as administrative and support staff, they too play a key role to keep their schools humming along at full steam.

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All Aboard the Happy Reading Express

December 24, 2007

Pupils shared their love for reading with the distinguished guests at the Reading Carnival.

Someone passing by the Nanyang Polytechnic auditorium on 23 November 2007 might have been mystified to hear train horns blaring from within - but it was just the launch of the Reading Carnival by Minister of State for Education Mr Gan Kim Yong. An extravaganza of books, project displays and demonstrations by teachers and students, the event celebrated the 60 prototype schools involved in the reading programme, Happy Reading Express.

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Stories to Tell from Teachers Network Award-winners

December 18, 2007

Mr Arasumani’s history classes use visual aids, stories and information not found in textbooks to engage the students.

In Mr Arasumani S. Retnasamy’s history classes, “pimples and warts” get students excited about lessons. Meanwhile, Mdm Chow Fong Yee oversees the launch of a new series of supplementary teaching materials that will make Chinese Language lessons in primary school more fun and engaging than ever before. In their respective ways, Mr Arasumani and Mdm Chow have gone far beyond the extra mile in their calling as teachers. Besides their regular classroom duties, they have taken pains to share their expertise with the teaching community at large through MOE’s Teachers Network (TN). Their contributions earned them recognition at the 2007 TN Awards: Mr Arasumani received an Outstanding Resource Teacher award and Mdm Chow a Fellow of Teachers Network award.

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Northern Exposure in Teaching with Technology

December 13, 2007

Mrs Tan-Lee has made the learning of Chinese easier and more fun for her students through Wipe It.

What happens when the most innovative teachers from around the world gather to share their ideas and experiences with one another? Mr Matthew Ong from Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) and Mrs Tan-Lee Yoke Kew from Mee Toh School had an opportunity to find out when they participated in the Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum held in Helsinki, Finland, this October. The two teachers represented Singapore at the forum after they won Distinction Awards at the Microsoft-MOE Professional Development Award (MMPDA) 2007 for their ingenious application of technology in teaching.

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World•Singapore - A "New" Vision for Tomorrow

December 11, 2007

If you still think that the way to academic and career success is a single straight and narrow path, think again. As the world becomes more complex and multi-faceted, Singapore is likewise charting a broader choice of educational routes. In this brave new era of World•Singapore, young Singaporeans will be able to fulfil their personal potential while meeting the challenges of a world steeped in culture and competition.

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Switching To A Faster Lane for Mid-Career Teachers

October 24, 2007

Mdm Norlizan switched from nursing to teaching as she wanted to make a difference.

Mr Ng Teng Joo was a civil engineer. Mr Vincent Lim used to be a corporate banker. Mdm Norlizan Binte Ahmat's first job was as a nurse. What unites these and nearly 6,600 other professionals, who at first glance have little in common? At some point in their former careers, they all seized the day and went into the world of teaching.

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Look Out for Singapore’s Very Own Boarding Schools

October 22, 2007

New boarding school programmes will give students more opportunities to develop teamwork and learn outside the classroom.

There won’t be any Sorting Hat or any Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. But the magic and charm of life in boarding school is on its way to becoming a reality for students at five Integrated Programme (IP) institutions. Come 2008-2009, they’ll be the first to enjoy new programmes that will turn school life into a daily adventure. Boarding schools won’t just be hostels for a stay away from home. From the camaraderie of inter-hall games to musical drama productions, there’ll be a host of lively opportunities for students to get out of their rooms, pick up new skills and interact with fellow boarders from different backgrounds and countries. And it isn’t necessarily all just fun and games.

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New Pickings Galore on the Normal Course Menu

October 19, 2007

New learning experiences are in store for students in the Normal course.

Sec 2 N(A) students at Si Ling Secondary School use tablet PCs and software manipulation tools in an ICT-enhanced Interactive Mathematics programme, turning a basic subject into an extraordinary experience. Meanwhile, students at Shuqun Secondary School are discovering how different machines work using an e-learning portal. They then apply this knowledge to real-life situations, such as combining two simple machines to create a new device for a games booth at the school’s National Day Carnival.

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University Education for 1 in 3 Students by 2015

October 3, 2007

Liberal arts training, specialised programmes or technical skills - the jury is still out on the exact nature of Singapore’s fourth publicly-funded university, and possibly a fifth. But the good news is, Singaporeans can now look forward to more university places, more universities, and a broader range of courses to choose from.

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Mastering a Third Tongue for a Regional Outlook

October 1, 2007

Malay and Bahasa Indonesia - these are two languages that we may hear more students speaking in the near future. At the National Day Rally 2007, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about how Singaporeans need to equip themselves early with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage regional and global counterparts. In particular, Singaporeans should make the effort to learn Malay and Bahasa Indonesia to better understand our neighbours and seize the opportunities available in the region.

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Inspiring Teachers Conferred President’s Awards

September 24, 2007

On 30 August 2007, four teachers (out of 1,320 teachers nominated) were conferred the President’s Award for Teachers - the highest accolade in the teaching profession. Learn more about each of these dynamic and creative individuals and how they’ve connected so well with their students

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A Simple Thank-you Suffices

September 24, 2007

Strike a pose! - students take on different personas with Mr Yeo.

Recipient of the President's Award for Teachers, Mr Yeo Leng Quee is a lively drama and English teacher at Peirce Secondary School.

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Inspired by Art, Inspiring through Art

September 24, 2007

Mdm Marsuki’s students treat the school grounds as their canvas - with permission of course.

Recipient of the President's Award for Teachers, Mdm Norlita Marsuki uses the visual arts to teach values and social responsibility to her students at Sembawang Secondary School.

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A Cotyledon and a Charismatic Adult

September 24, 2007

A revision lesson on the adaptation of a water hyacinth plant which allows it to float on water.

Recipient of the President's Award for Teachers, Mdm Yip Jee Cheng (also known as Mrs Jessie Ching) from Mayflower Primary School is still passionate about teaching, even after 18 years on the job.

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Making That Special Connection

September 24, 2007

Developing creative thinkers and lifelong learners underline Mrs Bala’s passion for teaching.

Recipient of the President's Award for Teachers, Mdm Parameswary d/o Sundar Rajoo (also known as Mrs Sheila Bala) makes Mathematics learning come alive at Montfort Junior School.

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National Education - From Didactic to Engaging

September 14, 2007

For National Education to work, young people should be given the space and opportunity to discover for themselves what it means to be Singaporean, said Minister for Education, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Think National Education and most people think of dry historical facts about Singapore, recited ad nauseam till one passes out from sheer boredom. Such misconceptions will surely be dispelled by the plethora of lively games, activities and approaches that were on show at the Network Conference held at Suntec Convention Centre on 14 August 2007. From fun-filled educational tours to digital games to World War II military paraphernalia, there was something for every school and teacher to make stories about Singapore come alive for their students.

Even graffiti art was par for the course. Mohamed Kamal Bin Dollah, a graffiti artist and part-time lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts as well as founder of Bob Associates, took part in the accompanying exhibition, explaining how he teaches students graffiti art and helps them to create wall murals in their schools based on NE-related themes - graffiti-style, but with the school’s stamp of approval, of course. In the process, he also teaches “art and crime”, educating students on the difference between art and vandalism, and cites the 1994 story of the caning of Michael Fay, whom many students today are not aware of.

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Teaming Up to Help Pupils Read Better

September 12, 2007

MOE Learning Support Coordinator Ms Madanagopal Jayasundari uses Elkonin boxes to help pupils spell by tracking the sounds in a word.

Adults may take the ability to read for granted, but it doesn’t always come easily to children just starting out in formal education. For primary school teachers who come across pupils who face problems with reading, there’s a certain urgency in wanting to help them before they get so demoralised that they give up on school altogether.

Enter the Learning Support Coordinators (LSCs), a specially trained group of teachers who carry out reading intervention strategies to help weak readers close the gap in their learning.

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Malay Website Scores with One Million Hits

September 11, 2007

Nadi, the MOE Malay language website.

“Did you recognise my voice?” “Don’t you think I was the perfect hero?” Students who visit the MOE Malay language website Nadi may hear a familiar voice or two relating stories from long ago, or spot their friends and schoolmates in the video clips. That’s because so many schools and pupils have chipped in to submit their stories, clips and other creative works to the revamped website.

For example, Nadi (which means “pulse”) receives regular contributions from teachers who send in pupils’ compositions and school news. These contributions not only boost the website’s content, they also provide a useful channel for pupils to get access to good ideas and assignments. What’s more, pupils can learn about the latest happenings about their peers in other schools.

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AEPtitude - A Spectacular Display of Aptitude

September 3, 2007

The excitement was palpable as students who were viewing the gallery engaged in animated conversation. As they moved from exhibit to exhibit, the guests were filled with awe and fascination at the artworks in their spectacular mélange of colours and textures. The exhibition, titled ‘AEPtitude’, is a biennial event organised by MOE to showcase works by Art Elective Programme (AEP) students. AEPtitude was held from 26 July to 6 August at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

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Toy Stories Make Science Come Alive

August 27, 2007

Caterpillar Feast by Tan Zhi Rui and Chew Yi Jing - a guessing game based on a book.

What do a hungry caterpillar, a Viking ship, twirling dancers and a dynamic playground have in common? Believe it or not, they’re all toys that combine science with a child’s imaginative spontaneity - and emerged as winners in the 2007 Sony Creative Science Award (SCSA).

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A Witty War of Words

August 10, 2007

Second proposition speaker Jazlyn Chua from ACJC delivers an impassioned plea.

“Because I am a woman, for every one dollar that a man earns, I get 71 cents,” opened Jazlyn Chua of Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC). “I don’t stand for that, and I hope you don’t either!”

Jaslyn’s impassioned plea, as the second proposition speaker for “Affirmative Action in Response to Historical Injustices”, exemplified the vocal prowess and reasoned precision shown at the grand finals of the 2007 MOE Invitational Debating Championship (MIDC). The students certainly didn’t pull any punches when it came to scrutinising the issues in lively verbal exchanges.

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Special and Express Streams to Merge from 2008

August 5, 2007

Since 1995, the number of Sec 1 Express stream students offering High Mother Tongue has jumped more than five times.

“Fewer labels, less confusion” says one parent. “Makes no difference to me - my child is already studying Higher Mother Tongue, and she’s in the Express stream,” says another. These were some of the typical parents’ reactions when they learned that from 2008, the Special stream will be merged with the Express stream.

Perhaps the parents’ nonchalance is understandable with the diminishing differences between the two streams over the years. When the Special stream was introduced in 1979, it was then meant to be a separate course for the top 10 per cent of the PSLE cohort. These students could offer Higher Chinese Language at Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools, where students study English and Chinese as first languages.

Over the years, however, the prerequisites for offering Higher Chinese Language - and Higher Mother Tongue in general - have been gradually relaxed to cater to a changing education landscape.

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Shining STARs of Service Excellence

July 16, 2007

A national-level award, the Public Service STAR Service Award is conferred annually on public officers for their excellence in service delivery. Three 2007 winners from MOE - Mrs Ng Wei San, Mdm Noraini Yusoff and Mr Choo Boon Chiao Albert - received their awards on 10 July 2007. Here, they share why providing good service is an important element in their job.

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Winning Ideas: How Schools Create a Thinking Culture

July 9, 2007

A China Everyday programme where old boys share accounts of life and culture in China, a student-produced podcast, and an international science fair - these are some of the initiatives in our schools that have brought about a more lively approach to learning, and helped these schools to win MOE’s Thinking Culture Award 2007 (TCA).

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Interactive Teaching and Engaging Learning with IDM

July 6, 2007

How can educators use interactive digital media (IDM) to enhance learning? That was the central question explored at the 2007 Curriculum Forum, where principals and vice principals were treated to a kaleidoscope of presentations by schools and organisations about exciting IDM-based teaching resources, from games and podcasting to interactive textbooks.

Held on 7 May 2007 at Republic Polytechnic (RP), and jointly organised by MOE, Republic Polytechnic and Infocomm Development Authority, the theme for this bi-annual event was “Engaging Learning - IDM Limited and Unlimited”. Participants caught a glimpse of some of the imaginative possibilities IDM offers that can enhance teaching and learning, while they were also reminded of the challenges that come with the proliferation of IDM.

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What's Hot, What's New in Education

July 6, 2007

CRPP 2007 attracted 1,800 participants from over 30 countries.

Teaching in schools today does not fully adopt the "teacher knows best" model anymore - students are now seen as the main actors in the classroom. As seen at the recent 'Redesigning Pedagogy: Culture, Knowledge and Understanding Conference 2007' in Singapore, there is solid empirical evidence from both Singapore and overseas to show that the student-centred approach works better in the longer term.

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Getting a Headstart on Education and Career Planning

July 4, 2007

Mohammad Faiz Bin Mazlan, student, Juying Secondary says of the career planning session, "Through the Self-Directed Search, I got to know myself better and realised that I am actually quite different from what I thought myself to be. After the test, it seems that being a lawyer is one of the possible career options for me - I’m going to consider it!"

Career planning may not often be timetabled into a student’s school day, but it goes hand-in-hand with the formal syllabus to prepare students for the game of life. It is thus beneficial to get ‘An Early Start to Career Planning’ - which was the focus of the education segment of CAREER 2007. Held at Suntec Singapore from 1 to 4 March, the exhibition, which was supported by MOE, attracted a record number of visitors, of which 46% were youth aged 19 years and below.

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