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Learn for Life - Equipping Ourselves for a Changing World: Nurturing Stewards of the Environment

Published Date: 04 March 2021 03:00 PM

News Press Releases

In line with the national sustainability agenda under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will work with schools and education institutions to promote sustainable living, empower students to play their part for the environment, and strengthen our green efforts through the following ways:

  1. Introduce an Eco Stewardship Programme (ESP);
  2. Pilot sustainability features and related concepts in selected schools;
  3. Champion public education on sustainability through the new Science Centre; and
  4. Build on existing sustainability efforts by Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).

(A) Eco Stewardship Programme

2. ESP builds on current environmental efforts in all schools, from primary to pre-university levels, through the 4Cs – Curriculum, Campus, Culture and Community.

Curriculum
  • We will refresh and enhance the teaching and learning of sustainability within the Science and Humanities curriculum. For example:
    • The revised Primary Social Studies curriculum will teach students about the importance of using resources wisely.
    • Sustainability is featured in the revised Lower Secondary Science curriculum. Further exploration of these issues will be weaved into the revised Upper Secondary Science curriculum.
    • The revised Upper Secondary and Pre-University Geography curriculum will also be organised around the theme of sustainability. The former will feature environmental concerns in Singapore and related innovations in the region, while the latter will emphasise sustainable urban development.
    • More learning resources relating to sustainability, including those on campus sustainability initiatives within our schools, will be provided on the Singapore Student Learning Space to make learning more authentic and meaningful.
Campus
  • The infrastructure in all schools will be enhanced with sustainability features, including more trees, energy-efficient technologies such as LED lights and Direct-Current ceiling fans, as well as SolarNova1 deployment.
Culture
  • We will encourage students to practise sustainability by adopting daily habits such as reducing energy use and food waste, conserving water and recycling.
  • Schools will continue to offer key Student Development Experiences like environment-related CCAs, and learning opportunities through environment-related Applied Learning Programmes, to raise students’ awareness of, and commitment to sustainability.
  • Schools will strengthen sustainability efforts by enhancing relevant school policies, including policies on energy and water conservation, and waste management.
Community
  • Schools will leverage community partnerships to expand environment-related volunteering and enrichment opportunities for students such as through Values-in-Action or environment-related CCAs.
  • We will also strengthen students’ awareness of future “green jobs”, such as jobs in green urban design, renewable energy and sustainability technology, water management, food sustainability and urban farming, green financing.

(B) Pilot Sustainability Features and Related Concepts in Four Schools

3. We will step up plans to harness solar energy, reduce energy usage and waste generation in our schools, and work towards a two-thirds reduction of net carbon emissions from the schools sector by 2030. We will also aim for at least 20% of our schools to be carbon neutral by 2030, with the rest to follow.

4. We will pilot sustainability features and related concepts in four schools that already adopt a holistic school-wide approach to environmental sustainability: Elias Park Primary School, Mee Toh School, Commonwealth Secondary School and Tampines Secondary School. The pilot will run from April this year till 2023.

5. The pilot will focus on:

  1. developing school-based environmental policies and programmes to help schools reduce their carbon footprint;
  2. trialling lesson packages to raise students' awareness of their carbon footprints, and how they can reduce them;
  3. developing and trialling lesson resources which either feature sustainability initiatives or are integrated with green infrastructure within the school environment; and
  4. enhancing infrastructure and campus to reduce each school's carbon footprint.

(C) Champion Public Education on Sustainability Through the New Science Centre

6. Science Centre Singapore will also partner schools to enhance their programmes, including conducting sustainability-themed learning journeys and mentoring students to lead their peers. In addition, the new Science Centre, to be developed at the Jurong Lake District, will showcase innovative sustainability technologies, through programmes and exhibits to continue to engage youths and the public to inspire sustainable lifestyle changes.

(D) Build on Existing Sustainability Efforts by IHLS

7. Our IHLs have also been strong supporters of environmental sustainability, embarking on similar efforts spanning the 4Cs. In the area of curriculum, they contribute towards building capability for sustainability efforts, through specialised courses2 as well as common modules. They are also committed to building "greener" campus infrastructure and environment; promoting sustainable living initiatives on campus; and leveraging their unique strengths such as engaging in IHL-industry partnerships to provide opportunities for applied learning, and contributing to sustainability-related research.

Footnotes
  1. SolarNova is a Whole-Of-Government effort led by Singapore Economic Development Board, and Housing and Development Board, to accelerate the deployment of solar panels in Singapore.
  2. Examples of specialised courses include a diploma or degree in Environmental Studies.