Forum Letter Replies
Strong support for YOG by MOE and schools
We refer to the letters by Mr Joseph Lim (“YOG holidays for all students?”, 19 July) and Ms Stephanie Yeo (“Schools, be more YOG friendly”, 21 July).
The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) provides a unique learning opportunity and MOE is committed to enabling our students and educators to benefit from this experience.
Students have been participating actively in various programmes organised by MOE and its partners. Students are learning about the Olympic values and forging friendships with their international counterparts through the Culture and Education Programme and the Friends@YOG twinning programme. Local and international students who attended the Singapore 2010 Friendship Camp and the Singapore 2010 Youth Sports Conference experienced innovative activities that inspired them to adopt the Olympic values. MOE has also purchased 87,000 tickets for students to watch the Games.
In all, more than 108,000 students and 6,800 teachers and MOE staff will participate in the Games and related activities. All student volunteers for the YOG will be awarded Community Involvement Programme (CIP) hours for their contributions in the YOG.
MOE has rescheduled the 2010 calendar for the National School Games so that most of the competitions are completed in the first half of 2010. This was done to allow our student athletes more time to support and enjoy the YOG. MOE has also exempted athletes in the YOG training squads from inter-school competitions so that they can concentrate on the training for YOG. In terms of school-based assessments or curriculum time, schools are better placed to make adjustments to allow students to participate in the various YOG programmes. This is because the involvement in YOG differs from school to school.
We are heartened by the dedication shown by students and schools in their support of the YOG. The YOG will leave a legacy of programmes and partnerships that will provide long-term benefits for our students. MOE and schools will continue to leverage on these programmes to enhance our students’ learning.
Director, Education Programmes
YOG holiday for all students? (Joseph Lim, Today, 19/7, p11)
SINGAPORE will host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from Aug 14 to 26.
I understand the Ministry of Education (MOE) has bought around 80,000 tickets, and it said schools may adjust school-based assessments or curriculum time so that these are not held during the games.
In effect, schools can decide for themselves whether to give their students a break. I feel this is unfair.
If some schools give their students a break during the YOG period while others do not, students and parents may be unhappy.
Instead, I urge the MOE to declare the YOG period a special school holiday for all students.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and students should be able to catch the games without being bogged down by school work or lessons.
Schools, be more YOG friendly (Stephanie Yeo, Today Voices, 21/7, p10)
Students should be allowed to experience Games without fear of missing class
I agree with Mr Joseph Lim’s suggestions in the letter “YOG holiday for all students?” (July 19).
Polytechnics have planned holidays for students during the Youth Olympic Games. While this will be useful for polytechnic students volunteering at the Games, those still in polytechnic are not the ideal audience at YOG events, since most of them are older than the competitors, who will be between 14 and 18 years old.
On the other hand, primary and secondary school students aged between six and 16—especially those in school or national teams who could qualify to compete in future Games—will not be able to watch the YOG events.
Those who know Singaporeans competing in the events might also have to forgo the chance to support their friends.
My brother is in his school shooting team. I would like to take him to the air pistol preliminaries and finals, and he wants to watch the competition in person.
However, his interest waned after I told him that those particular events will be held on a Tuesday morning.
While I have spoken to his teacher, he is still hesitant about attending this once-in-a-lifetime event as he will fall behind on schoolwork even if he is allowed to go to the Games.
Since Singapore is playing host to the first YOG, shouldn’t the Ministry of Education create an environment in which students are able to experience this event taking place under our roof?
Nanyang Technological University has delayed its date of term commencement to September as its compounds will be used as the Youth Olympic Village, where athletes and team officials will be housed.
However, as far as I know, National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University have not made such arrangements to accommodate the significant number of students who will serve as volunteers at the YOG.
Though help has been promised for student volunteers, the best scenario would be one in which no lessons have to be missed.
The Singapore education system has taught students to contribute to society and participate in Community Involvement Programmes (CIP).
But students will not be awarded CIP hours for volunteering for the YOG with the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.
This indicates that students who are willing to commit their time and energy to next month’s Games have wholly embraced the volunteering spirit.
To reward these outstanding students, and to practise what it has been preaching since the implementation of CIP, the Education Ministry and local universities should consider doing more for the students of Singapore at the upcoming Games.