The 25 schools entrusted with the job of churning out students well-versed in Chinese and English are going all out to leverage on their unique identity.

'We can't allow these schools to lose their uniqueness, or to become simply schools which take in good students,' said Minister of State for Education Gan Kim Yong on Monday.

If these schools, known as Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools, do not keep at their role, Singapore's education system will be weakened, he said at a Chinese New Year event at Chung Cheng High (Main).

His comments came in the wake of worries about the relevance of these schools. Mr Gan spelt out how SAP schools, of which there are 10 secondary and 15 primary ones, can stay relevant by coming up with programmes, even 'flagship' ones.

On that note, he announced that Chung Cheng and CHIJ St Nicholas' Girls School will work with Ngee Ann Polytechnic to offer a new Media Studies O-level subject to Secondary 3 students in 2010.

Students will study topics like the social impact of the Chinese mass media and learn to make their own short films.

The curriculum is still being developed but so far, most students surveyed have indicated interest, said Chung Cheng principal Lo Chee Lin.

Mr Gan also gave an update on what other SAP schools are planning. Some, like Nan Hua Primary and Nan Hua High, are planning to hold camps to let students soak up all things Chinese.

At other schools like Tao Nan School and Nanyang Primary, pupils do not have to wait for camps to get more exposure to Chinese.

Lower primary pupils at the two schools are taught non-examinable subjects like Art, Music or even Physical Education in Chinese.

At Nanyang, it means that pupils will be exposed to Chinese for 40 per cent of total lesson time, compared to 30 per cent previously.

At Tao Nan, pupils can expect lessons delivered in Mandarin for up to 46 per cent of lesson time. Tao Nan principal Tan Choon Keng said these have gone down well with parents and pupils alike.

'It has made the kids love the language even more. The non-examinable subjects are, by nature, the more fun subjects,' he added.

Three SAP primary schools - Ai Tong, Nan Hua and Pei Chun - will teach subjects like Social Studies or Civics and Moral Education together with Chinese.

Summing up, Mr Gan noted that the SAP school system will move into its 30th year next year.

'I firmly believe that SAP schools will definitely continue to stand tall and shine in our educational landscape,' he said.