NATIONAL sports associations are not the only ones sending their top athletes overseas for higher-level competition. Singapore schools have been following suit.

Thanks to a funding scheme from the Ministry of Education, more schools have been sending their top athletes abroad for training and competitive exposure the last four years.

Niche Programme (Sec Schools) Started in 2005, the programme supports schools with distinctive strengths and good track records in their niches (sports, uniformed groups, arts, music, etc). Niche schools receive MOE funding and can admit up to 5 per cent of their Sec 1 intake directly, even before the Primary School Leaving Examination results are out. ... more SCHOOLS' SCORECARD Sepak takraw National finals ... more

This is particularly so for schools specialising in niche sports that are certified by the MOE.

Started in 2005, the MOE scheme supports schools with distinctive strengths and good track records in their niches (sports, uniformed groups, arts, music, etc).

Those with niche sports include Montfort Secondary (badminton), Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) (water polo), St Theresa's Convent (hockey), Presbyterian High (girls' volleyball) and Jurong Secondary (basketball).

These schools have also been using their MOE funds to organise overseas training stints during the school holidays for their athletes.

The trips, usually to countries such as Malaysia, China, Thailand or Taiwan, last between four days and two weeks.

The MOE funds can be used for paying about half to three-quarters of the expenses, depending on the destination. Students pay the rest.

The niche schools go on such overseas stints because of the lack of competitions beyond the Schools National tournaments.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.