NG JING YNG Today Online 4 Jun 14;
SINGAPORE — Getting students to contribute to their immediate surroundings will not only give them a greater sense of belonging, but also allow residents to see students from neighbourhood schools in a different light, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday.
Speaking at the 7th Teachers’ Conference, Mr Heng made this point as he announced the launch of a Keep Singapore Clean Movement in Schools, where students will propose ideas to keep their school and neighbourhood clean and be tasked with putting their ideas into action.
The move is in line with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) drive to emphasise values education in schools and more details of the initiative will be available later this year.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Heng said the movement aims to help students apply what they have learnt in the classroom to the community. “In that way, they can build a stronger sense of belonging, a better understanding of what the community needs and they can grow up to be more active contributors and concerned citizens,” he added.
Asked by the media how such a movement could help to change the perception of neighbourhood schools, Mr Heng explained that residents will be able to witness the contributions made by the students to the community.
“This will elevate the image of our neighbourhood schools, that students of neighbourhood schools are responsible, are caring, and that they have a strong sense of care and responsibility for people around them,” he said.
In his speech at the conference, held at Suntec City Convention Centre, Mr Heng also noted that the movement would be driven by students and supported by schools. Students are expected to carry out their ideas in a sustained fashion so that good habits are internalised.
Some schools here are already involved in such community efforts, with teachers pointing to positive outcomes. At Dunman High School, for example, all students are involved in keeping two nearby hawker centres clean. Every month, they would go to these centres to check on their cleanliness or pick up litter. They have also designed posters to raise awareness on cleanliness and spoken to the hawkers about hygiene habits.
The school’s environmental education adviser Koh-Leong Swee Ling said she noticed her students have become more concerned about their surroundings and are keen to keep their environment clean.
At Hougang Secondary, Secondary 1 students are involved in gardening to beautify the school’s surroundings, while other students have also helped to distribute information pamphlets during the dengue period.
The school’s head of citizenship and character education Foo Yong Howe said it has received positive feedback from residents, adding that getting students to contribute to their neighbourhood will help the community to know the school better.
Mr Heng yesterday also gave updates on the implementation of values education in schools.
New curriculum materials have been introduced at Primary 1 and 2 and secondary levels, while the Pri 3 to 6 levels will have their resources by the end of this year.
About 700 teachers have also been trained within the past year as mentors to help school leaders implement the values education curriculum.
Mr Heng reiterated the need for teachers to act as role models for students to acquire values. “To guide students in strengthening their moral compasses, we must each first strengthen our own and ensure that we walk the talk,” he added.
