TWO schools had big reasons to celebrate on Saturday.

At the Millennia Institute, 530 people, including alumni and parents, watched Education Minister Ng Eng Hen officially open its $30 million campus in Bukit Batok.

In his address, he said the school has been equipped to provide a stimulating and engaging learning environment for its 1,400 students.

Principal Tan Chor Pang said the number of its graduating students offered a place in the local universities was 20 per cent in 2006.

In 2007, that increased to 30 per cent. The institute was established in 2004 with the merger of Jurong and Outram institutes. It moved to Bukit Batok in December 2006. Before that, it operated from two campuses in Toh Tuck and Bartley.

It is the only centralised institute to offer three-year pre-university courses in Arts, Science and Business, leading to the A-level certification. Students also have had the choice to do a diploma alongside the A levels since 2005.

In the evening, Dr Ng officially opened National Junior College's first boarding school. The pioneer junior college in Singapore celebrated its 40th anniversary yesterday.

Its $20 million boarding school can accommodate more than 500 students and staff. Amenities include a gymnasium, library and computer rooms.

The first batch of boarders moved in in January this year under the school's six-year Integrated Programme with Boarding.

All students who join from Secondary 1 will get to experience boarding for at least one term a year in the first four years.

jamieee@sph.com.sg