Big push to nurture all-round students

Algebra is taught using "Algediscs" at a Secondary 2 Normal Technical class at Bedok View Secondary School. The Education Ministry (MOE) has announced several new initiatives to promote the all-rounded development of students. -- ST FILE PHOTO: NURIA
Algebra is taught using "Algediscs" at a Secondary 2 Normal Technical class at Bedok View Secondary School. The Education Ministry (MOE) has announced several new initiatives to promote the all-rounded development of students. -- ST FILE PHOTO: NURIA LING

The Education Ministry (MOE) has announced several new initiatives to promote the all-rounded development of students.

In his annual address to school leaders on Wednesday, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that all secondary schools will offer two distinctive programmes by 2017 to develop their students beyond the academics.

First, schools will offer an applied learning programme to get their students to see the relevance and value of what they are learning and develop in them a love for learning.

The second will be the "learning for life" programme where all students will be involved in activities like a school expedition or a leadership development camp. The aim here is to develop students character and strengthening their people skills including their teamwork and communication skills.

The Ministry will leave it to the principals and teachers to design their own schemes but it will help schools link up with relevant industry partners or government agencies such as the Science Centre to advise and help them.

For many schools, this may involve a deepening and broadening of the existing niche programmes for these to become a comprehensive school-wide programmes catering to the vast majority of students.

The aim is for schools within each neighbourhood to have different programmes, focusing on different areas.

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