Special education students make SYF presentation debut (16 April 2019)
"Students from three special education (Sped) schools took part in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation for the first time this year in a move to promote inclusivity.
The SYF Arts Presentation, which runs from April 1 to May 3 this year, sees students from secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute showcase their talent in the arts in various categories such as dance and drama."
A surgeon’s heart, an engineer’s mind (17 April 2019)
"General surgery is not for the faint-hearted.
To illustrate this point, surgeon Dr Darius Aw recounted an episode during his first year of training at the hospital."
Five years on, SIT still a big draw for poly grads (18 April 2019)
"As it celebrated its fifth anniversary as an autonomous university last month, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) affirmed its popularity with school leavers, drawing 12,000 applicants for the 2,700 places it is offering this year for its 42 degree courses.
As in recent years, its high-technology and high-touch degree courses such as nursing which require more personal attention and service, were five times oversubscribed."
Peer help vital for those with special education needs: President Halimah (18 April 2019)
"Classmates Muhammad Aaron Irwan and Leroy Lim are always together in school. Leroy, 13, helps to bring Aaron his food during recess and assists him with his school work when he is unable to catch up.
The two boys are also tied by their common interest: playing the online mobile game Mobile Legends together."
List of approved overseas medical schools to be cut from 160 to 103 on Jan 1, 2020 (18 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE - From next year, Singaporeans and permanent residents going overseas to study medicine with the aim of practising as doctors here will have a shorter list of 103 schools to choose from, down from the current 160.
The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Thursday (April 18) a revised list that sees the number of approved overseas medical schools cut. The change takes effect from Jan 1 next year."
NUS to convene review committee after student calls for tougher action against man who filmed her in shower (20 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) will convene a committee to review its disciplinary and support frameworks after an undergraduate posted on social media about her encounter with a peeping Tom at one of the university's residential halls.
The committee, which will include members from the NUS Board of Trustees, will study the approaches taken by other international institutions and solicit views from various stakeholders, NUS dean of students, Associate Professor Peter Pang, said in a statement on Saturday (April 20)."
Largest PCF pre-school for 1,000 children officially opens; PCF to run 38 Early Years Centres by 2021 (20 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE - By 2021, PCF Sparkletots, the largest pre-school operator here, will have 38 centres that admit younger children aged up to four.
These Early Years Centres, first announced in 2017, are part of the Government's efforts to raise the quality of pre-school standards in children's early years and meet the growing demand for full-day childcare places."
Centre in Punggol North to expand kitchen space (21 April 2019)
"The Early Years Centre in Punggol North is currently one of the few pre-schools run by PCF Sparkletots still using a food caterer for its meals, as it does not have sufficient kitchen space to feed 1,000 children at full capacity. But PCF chief executive Victor Bay said the centre will be building bigger kitchen facilities to prepare food with in-house cooks as soon as possible.
From late March to the beginning of this month, there was an outbreak of gastroenteritis across 13 PCF Sparkletots pre-schools. More than 230 children and 12 staff reported symptoms linked to food poisoning, with 31 of them hospitalised."
Peeping Tom caught filming in NUS hall shower: Thousands sign petitions calling for tougher action (22 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE - Almost 30,000 people have signed two separate online petitions calling for the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the police to take tougher action against the man who filmed undergraduate Monica Baey in a shower at student residence Eusoff Hall last November.
The first petition, which has more than 21,600 signatures and was started last Saturday (April 20), urged NUS to impose stiffer punishments on those who commit sexual offences on university campuses."
NUS to hold townhall meeting on sexual misconduct on campus following complaint over peeping Tom incident (22 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) is organising a townhall meeting on Thursday (April 25) to gather feedback and concerns on sexual misconduct on campus and discuss how to improve its disciplinary and support mechanisms.
In an internal circular sent to students, faculty and staff on Monday and seen by The Straits Times, Associate Professor Peter Pang, NUS dean of students, said: "We will also share with you NUS' investigation and disciplinary procedures, and the sanctions framework for sexual misconduct."
NUS' policy on sexual misconduct cases: 'Second strike and you are out' (22 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) on Monday (April 22) said it has a "second strike and you are out" policy for sexual misconduct cases.
Setting out how the university handles such cases, NUS vice-provost (student life) Florence Ling told The Straits Times that a student found guilty of sexual misconduct for a second time will be expelled."
NUS sexual misconduct case: Need to take a tough stand and send strong signal, says Ong Ye Kung (23 April 2019)
"Education Minister Ong Ye Kung has weighed in on the mounting controversy over how a sexual misconduct case at the National University of Singapore (NUS) was handled, saying that a strong signal has to be sent.
"Two strikes and you are out cannot be the standard application," he said in a Facebook post, shortly after NUS outlined its "second strike and you are out" policy and said it wanted to give first-time offenders a chance."
NUS president Tan Eng Chye apologises for how sexual misconduct case was handled (23 April 2019)
SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) has apologised for the way it handled the case of sexual misconduct that was brought to light by one of its students, Ms Monica Baey, whose posts on social media caused outrage both within and outside of the campus.
In an e-mail to NUS alumnus on Tuesday (April 23) seen by The Straits Times, the university's president Tan Eng Chye said: "We are sorry that she had to surface her concerns on social media for the university to take notice."
NUS Peeping Tom case: Age a key factor in deciding such cases, say lawyers (24 April 2019)
Age is an important factor taken into account by the authorities when deciding whether to charge an offender, lawyers and counsellors told The Straits Times.
They were commenting on a police decision to give a 23-year-old male student, who filmed a female student showering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), a conditional warning - meaning it will not appear on his records."
NUS Peeping Tom case: Police explain decision not to prosecute culprit (24 April 2019)
The man who filmed a female student in the shower without her consent was let off with a conditional warning because, among other factors, there was a high chance of his rehabilitation and the police did not want to saddle him with a permanent criminal record.
The police issued a statement yesterday explaining their decision not to prosecute the 23-year-old male undergraduate from the National University of Singapore (NUS), but to give him a conditional warning instead for trespassing and filming the student."
26 incidents of sexual offences reviewed by NUS Board of Discipline over past 3 years, no expulsions (24 April 2019)
SINGAPORE - Over the past three years, 26 cases of sexual offences were brought before the National University of Singapore's (NUS) disciplinary board, according to a report that was leaked last week by students.
Eighteen cases involved sexual voyeurism, with students taking upskirt videos and photographs, or filming both male and female students showering."
SMU, NTU reassure students that sexual harassment complaints taken seriously (24 April 2019)
SINGAPORE - Two other universities have sent internal circulars to their students on Wednesday (April 24) following the recent case of sexual misconduct at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The Singapore Management University (SMU) has reassured students and staff that it is reviewing its own disciplinary processes related to sexual misconduct."
Peeping Tom incident in male toilet at NTU hall of residence being investigated (24 April 2019)
SINGAPORE - A peeping Tom case in a male toilet at a hall of residence in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has surfaced, amid a robust debate on how sexual misconduct cases in universities should be handled.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the police said it received a 999 call for assistance at 1.11pm on Sunday (April 21), with the caller alleging a man had taken photographs of another man in a shower at the hall's toilet."
Harvesting the Fruits of Passion (10 April 2018)
"Schools are helping students develop in their areas of interest, however uncommon they may be.
The Insect Investigator
One of the best gifts Justin Soh got from his days at Guangyang Secondary was a plot of land in the school.
It was a very unusual gift, but Justin was also an unusual student. Every recess, instead of eating in the canteen or playing games in the courtyard, the science enthusiast would spend his time exploring a grassy area near the school’s general office.
One morning, the Principal noticed him doing this and walked over. “What are you looking at? It’s just grass,” he asked, intrigued.
“It isn’t, Mr Kwok,” Justin replied. He quickly proceeded to point out spiders, caterpillars, dragonflies, even locusts — all camouflaged and hiding in plain sight. Mr Benjamin Kwok was impressed. It so happens he’d been thinking about starting some environmental programmes in the school, so he asked the boy if he had any experience in gardening.
“I have some, but I haven’t done much,” came the answer."
From parents to parents: Want to raise successful children? (11 April 2018)
"Here are some perspectives from angel investors, HR experts and polytechnic lecturers – who are parents themselves.
1. Don’t just climb up, climb sideways
Many think of success as a ladder to the top. But your journey could go sideways, if you have transferable skills! That’s how Ms Ginette Chittick has gone from rock musician to running the fashion diploma course at LASALLE. She advises her students: “You may not get the job that you want in the industry, or you may not be interested in the job you’re studying for. But you can move sideways.”
2. Get noticed through networking
Want to land a job? Don’t just blast out resumes to dozens of employers; go out and actually meet them – at networking events, recruitment fairs, and trade shows. That’s how marketing man Mr Imran Johri “beat the numbers game” of job-hunting. He’s had 12 jobs, 11 of which came through people he’d met before."
A ‘brand-name school’ is not the best for my child (18 April 2018)
"In an unconventional move, one couple chose to put their son in a school near to their house instead of a brand-name school. The decision surprised friends and family. We learn about the considerations behind their choice.
Like many parents, Liang May and Meyer Yang faced a burning question when they had to enrol their seven-year-old son Ewan in primary school last year. Which is the best school for Ewan?
For Meyer, 38, the choice seemed obvious to enroll Ewan to his alma mater, Anglo-Chinese School (ACS). It was also good because Ewan could gain priority admission into ACS since his father is an old-boy.
But May, 37, had other thoughts and considerations.
One, she preferred a co-ed school, so that their five-year-old daughter Faye could attend the same school as her brother in future. This would mean less logistical issues in the future."
Learning and Growing through the Arts (23 April 2018)
"Dance, drama, music and digital arts – more than just passions to tease out interest from students, it’s a way that Bukit Merah Secondary uses to help them grow.
“We’re all in this together,” is not just the refrain from Disney’s High School Musical, it’s a song that binds together students of Bukit Merah Secondary School, thanks to the school’s Aesthetics Education Programme (AEP).
The 8-week programme gives all Secondary 2 students a chance to choose an area of the arts, and explore their creative interests and build strong ties with other students from different classes who shared the same passion.
“Most importantly, the programme allowed students to grow from strength to strength in their confidence,” says Miss Lim Kailin, teacher-in-charge of the AEP.
Even the students who already have experience in expressing their artistic inclinations benefit from the programme, as the group work involved taught them lessons in humility, empathy, and how to get things right as a team, and not just as individuals."
Bright “Bulbs” of Broadrick (23 April 2018)
"Our students can teach everyone a thing or two – especially in innovation! Broadrick Secondary School’s Entrepreneurship in STEM ALP is proof of that.
“Hard work pays off and this trip serves as a true reward for all of us!” said 15-year-old Chen Siyu of Broadrick Secondary School who, together with her teammates, Aminah Hydar and Benjamin Wong Keat Meng, won an all-expenses-paid trip to London to attend the Shell Make The Future Festival after emerging as The Bright Ideas Challenge 2018 National Champions.
The Challenge is a Shell initiative, organised by the Science Centre Singapore and supported by the Ministry of Education, encouraging students to imagine and conceptualise creative ideas to power the cities of the future and show the importance of STEM education in tackling real world problems through a fun and engaging way.
As part of the school’s Applied Learrning Programme (ALP), the students pitched the idea of converting “waste” sound into electricity. Through their research, the students came up with a practical way to convert the vibrational energy of sound into electricity – imagine what a rock concert or football game could do!"
National Schools Xinyao Singing and Songwriting Competition 2019 & Launch of the “Xin Kong Xia 2019” Album (21 February 2019)
"15 original songs composed by past student-winners from the National Schools Xinyao Singing and Songwriting Competitions have been compiled and released as a special album entitled “Xin Kong Xia 2019”. Three songs from the album have even been made into music videos."
Release of the 2018 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level) Examination Results (22 February 2019)
"Students who sat for the 2018 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) examinations collected their results today."
Nominations Open for Arif Budiman Malay Language Teachers’ Award 2019 (25 February 2019)
"Students, educators, parents and members of the public are invited to nominate outstanding Malay Language teachers for the Arif Budiman Malay Language Teachers’ Award (AGAB). The award aims to recognise Malay Language teachers in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute who have made significant contributions to the teaching and learning of the Malay Language."
UPLIFT Strategies to Enhance Support for Disadvantaged Students and Strengthen Ground Coordination (5 March 2019)
"As part of UPLIFT’s (Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce) ongoing efforts to support students from disadvantaged families, the Taskforce has developed some strategies and initiatives to address the challenges and issues that hinder these students from achieving their true potential."
Learn For Life – Remaking Pathways: Greater Flexibility With Full Subject-Based Banding (5 March 2019)
"In line with ongoing efforts to develop the full potential of our students, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will be expanding Subject-Based Banding (Secondary) [SBB(Sec)] beyond the four PSLE subjects. Full SBB builds on the positive outcomes of SBB(Sec) to create a more customised secondary education experience for all students."
Second Minister for Education, Ms Indranee Rajah, to Attend Teaching Summit in Finland (11 March 2019)
"1. Second Minister for Education, Ms Indranee Rajah, will visit Helsinki, Finland, from 12 to 15 March 2019. She will attend the 9th International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) from 13 to 15 March 2019."
Winners of Inaugural Chinese Street Dance Competition 2019 (23 March 2019)
"125 students from 25 primary schools participated in the Inaugural Chinese Street Dance Competition with a total of four awards presented. The grand finals were held on Saturday, 23 March at Suntec City."
Enhancements to the Facilitated Secondary School Admissions Process for Returning Singaporeans (2 April 2019)
"MOE has enhanced the facilitated Secondary School admissions process for Returning Singaporean (RS) children, to better support their entry or re-entry into our education system upon their return from abroad."
Opening Ceremony of World Book Day and Literature Under the April Sky 2019 (13 April 2019)
"In the lead-up to the World Book Day and Literature Under the April Sky 2019, students from 106 primary and secondary schools had participated in World Book Day@Schools – a month-long programme comprising interesting reading activities. This is an increase from 83 schools last year."
NTU’s new portable device tests drinking water quality in 5 minutes (15 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE — Scientists at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a portable device that can detect trace levels of heavy metals in drinking water in just five minutes.
The university said in a press release issued on Monday (April 15) that the unnamed device generates test results quickly without requiring samples to be brought to a laboratory. As a result, the device is handy for on-site water testing and could in future be used in countries where water quality is an issue.
It could also be integrated into appliances for domestic use such as home water filtration systems and electric kettles.”
Several cases of food poisoning, hygiene lapses at NUS residences in past two years (18 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE — Some have complained about getting food poisoning. Others have seen insects in their food, or rats and cockroaches at cafeterias.
These are what National University of Singapore (NUS) students from at least three halls of residences and all five of the university’s residential colleges claimed to have experienced over the past two years.
This comes as another food provider in NUS is being investigated by the authorities, two weeks after 22 people from Ridge View Residential College (RVRC) fell ill with gastroenteritis symptoms.”
Mechanisms in place to prevent stranger danger, says location-sharing app Zenly (19 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE — The co-founder of smartphone app Zenly has assured parents that there are mechanisms in place to deter "stranger danger" after some of them raised concerns last month about the app, which is popular among young children.
These concerns centre around strangers having access to private details and being able to track users' real-time location on the app. Parents said these put teenagers at risk of kidnapping and sexual abuse.”
NUS students’ union condemns sexual harassment, urges students not to harass peeping tom (22 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE — The executive committee of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) students’ union said that it condemns any form of sexual harassment at the institution, but urged fellow students not to harass the male undergraduate who was caught filming a female student in the shower.
Justice “needs to consider both the victim and the perpetrator, and needs to be proportionate”, the committee said in a statement issued to students on Sunday (April 21).”
Company cuts off ties with NUS, students express 'deep concern' as fallout from peeping tom incident widens (22 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE — The fallout over the National University of Singapore's (NUS) handling of a peeping tom incident has widened, with a company declaring that it will cease all dealings with the university while the mother of the victim lashed out at NUS for letting the perpetrator off "so lightly".
Meanwhile, almost 500 students put up a statement addressed to NUS' senior management, including president Tan Eng Chye, provost Ho Teck Hua and dean Peter Pang, calling on the university to take a "stronger stance against sexual harassment and set a positive example for other universities around the world".
The victim, 23-year-old NUS undergraduate Monica Baey, had taken to Instagram to publicise an incident in which she was filmed by a fellow student while she was showering in her hostel bathroom at NUS' Eusoff Hall last November.”
NUS voyeur leaves Great Eastern, after firm suspends him for ‘misconduct’ (22 April 2019)
"SINGAPORE — A National University of Singapore (NUS) undergraduate who was caught filming a fellow student in a hostel toilet has resigned from his role at Great Eastern after the company placed him on immediate suspension.
“We are aware of the recent incident involving Nicholas Lim, a Great Eastern financial representative,” the insurance firm said on Monday (April 22).”