Enrichment & Engagement
DRIVING THE PASSION FOR I&E
In October 2003, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education, announced that the key focus for MOE for the next few years would be to nurture a spirit of Innovation and Enterprise (I&E) among our young and in our schools so that they could better face the challenges of the future.
I&E workshops were conducted for school representatives to communicate the rationale for I&E, and generate discussion. The respective school representatives in turn conducted workshops for their teachers, staff and students, as well as engage them in working towards a holistic education programme. In addition, special learning journeys to various organisations were organised to expand teachers’ perspectives on I&E. A workshop was also conducted for MOE Headquarters staff so that they could enhance their services that would best support the schools’ varied needs.
A nation-wide school event, ExCEL (Excellence through Continuous Enterprise and Learning) Day was held on 11 Sep 2004 to promote the spirit of I&E and celebrate ExCEL-related efforts in schools and MOE HQ. It provided an opportunity for HQ and schools to learn from each other on promoting I&E, as well as to recognise efforts and achievements in continuous learning and improvement. On 1 and 2 July 2005, MOE held its first-ever public MOE ExCEL Fest at the Singapore Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Involving over 130 schools, the event allowed parents to participate in classroom experiences to observe for themselves how learning takes place during their children’s lessons.
For many of the parents who attended the 60 sessions, this was the first time they had stepped into the classroom and sat through lessons as "students" since they left school more than 10 years ago. The event also showcased over 100 exhibits that highlighted the latest innovations in our schools. An exciting mini-race across schools gave families with primary school-going children an opportunity to experience different innovative school-based learning activities first-hand.
