Away from classroom - for Active Learning

Jennani Durai Straits Times 4 Sep 10;

DURING school hours yesterday, a Primary 2 class from MacPherson Primary School spent an hour making toys for the parrots in Jurong BirdPark.

A month ago, the pupils pitched tents and groomed ponies at the Singapore Zoo.

These were not co-curricular activities or even class excursions. They were carried out during curriculum time under the new Programme for Active Learning (PAL), which is aimed at giving Primary 1 and 2 pupils a less academic, more holistic education.

The programme, now being tried out in a dozen primary schools, will be introduced to another 24 schools next year, said the Ministry of Education.

The idea for the programme was among a slew of recommendations by the Primary Education Review and Implementation (Peri) committee last year. This panel also mooted scrapping examinations for Primary 1 and 2 pupils.

PAL offers more than 54 modules, from which schools pick any six for their pupils. Ranging from puppetry and singing to gymnastics and outdoor skills, the modules fall under broad themes - sports, outdoor education, visual arts and the performing arts.

At least two hours a week are devoted to PAL activities, which are carried out on top of the schools' regular physical education, music and art lessons.

Each module, conducted by a third-party vendor, lasts seven to 10 weeks. By the end of Primary 2, pupils should have completed six modules.

Senior Minister of State for Education and National Development Grace Fu said feedback from children who have undergone PAL has been unanimously positive.

She said: 'It's apparent they are enjoying themselves, and that this is providing opportunities for them to explore things and have a richer education.

'It can also help them discover what they like, and what they are good at.'

She said the programme will eventually be in place at all primary schools.

Meanwhile, the pupils of MacPherson Primary are revelling in the outdoor exploration module run by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which is among the 33 vendors for PAL activities.

During the eight-week module, pupils spend six weeks learning about the outdoors, and two weeks applying their knowledge outside the classroom, said Ms Rekha Nair, assistant curator of WRS' education department.

The lessons cover outdoor preparedness, first aid, pet responsibility and simple navigation, among other things.

Live animals such as snakes, scorpions and hedgehogs are brought into the classroom, with the module climaxing in visits to the BirdPark and the zoo.

Primary 2 pupil Aiden Visser, eight, said his favourite part of the programme was the visit to the zoo.

'I liked grooming the ponies and feeding the goats. I love animals and I've never had a chance to do something like that before,' he said.