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Press Releases

September 4, 2009

New Programmes in Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools

SAP Schools Review

A SAP Schools Review Taskforce, chaired by former Minister of State for Education, Mr Gan Kim Yong, was formed in Oct 2007 to take stock of the SAP programmes and recommend initiatives to enable SAP schools to better meet their desired objectives. The key thrusts of review recommendations announced in Feb 2008 were as follows:

  • To enrich the learning of Chinese Language (CL) and traditional values; and
  • To strengthen the SAP school ethos and SAP school teams

Key Areas of Implementation

(A) SAP Flagship Programme

A key recommendation by the taskforce was for MOE to support and encourage each SAP school in developing a CL-related Flagship Programme by 2012. The intent is to add to each school’s identity and expose students to an enriched and holistic experience in Chinese language learning and cultural appreciation.

The SAP Flagship Programme is designed in alignment with the individual school’s vision, mission and strategic direction in strengthening the SAP school ethos. The programme involves mass participation of students at lower levels, while nurturing peaks of excellence at later stages on top of the broad-based foundation.

SAP schools may design their programmes according to the following areas:

  • Curriculum-based teaching approaches (e.g. teaching of non-examination subjects in CL);
  • Language or cultural enrichment such as:
    • Creative writing;
    • Translation;
    • Aesthetics (e.g. Chinese calligraphy, Chinese dance, Wushu);
    • Appreciation of Chinese Culture, Philosophy and History;
    • Character Development (e.g. the incorporation of Chinese traditional values into CCAs and character development programmes); and
  • Overseas immersion or local boarding activities

All SAP schools are already in the process of implementing the flagship programmes. Examples of the schools’ flagship programmes which have commenced are at Annex A.

(B) Media Studies (Chinese)

From 2010 onwards, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School and Chung Cheng High (Main) School will jointly offer Media Studies (Chinese) as a new ‘O’ Level Applied Subject.1

The subject aims to develop students to be media-literate individuals who are able to evaluate the media critically and harness the benefits of it for effective communication. The subject covers areas such as Mass Communication, Media Production and case studies on local and foreign media issues in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

As part of the course requirement, students will apply their Chinese Language media and script writing skills to produce a short news video.

(C) Traditional Chinese Values Resource Package

MOE has piloted the Traditional Chinese Values Resource Package in 8 primary schools since July 2009, and in 7 secondary SAP schools since January 2009 to enhance values education in SAP schools.

The Traditional Chinese Values Resource Package for primary schools revolves around core values in the Primary School Civics and Moral Education (CME) syllabus. The learning materials are designed based on the values advocated by The Analects and The Mencius, with accompanying stories, activities and games.

The Traditional Chinese Values Resource Package for secondary schools is guided by Confucian teaching and framed by selected themes such as ‘Learning’, ‘Friendship’, ‘Self-cultivation’, ‘Our Society and Country’, as well as ‘The World and I’. The list of schools that have participated in the pilot programme is at Annex B.

Footnote

  1. Currently, Media Studies (English Language) is being offered jointly by Ngee Ann Polytechnic and 3 other secondary schools, namely Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary) and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. ↵