Students must go beyond festivals, food and develop understanding of different races: Chan Chun Sing (19 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Speaking to an Indian patron lining up for carrot cake, a hawker makes an off-colour remark that all Indians like the dish fried up extra dark – cooked with more dark soya sauce.
Would this qualify as casual racism?"
POSB offers savings matching scheme to encourage students to save (19 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE - In a bid to get students to save more, POSB has launched a new scheme where they can get up to $10 a month if they regularly squirrel away part of their allowance.
It will also expand its financial literacy outreach to more schools."
Singapore-made game heading for New Zealand to tell stories of Maori heritage (19 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE - A Singapore-made game that takes players on journeys through local neighbourhoods and communities will be going to New Zealand to tell the stories of the heritage of the country’s indigenous Maori people.
The company behind the game called Hidden has received a $1 million investment from Ngati Kahungunu ki Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua, one of New Zealand’s largest Maori tribes."
‘If you love your child, report him if you think he is being radicalised’: Expert (20 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – It’s natural for youth in Singapore to be affected by global events, like the Israel-Hamas war, which can evoke strong emotions.
If they are not careful, finding information about them in the wrong places can lead them down the path of radicalisation."
The big step up to P1: Preparation is about more than academics (20 July 2024)
"I vividly recall a conversation when my son’s pre-school educator asked how he was feeling after discovering he was going to a different primary school from that of his close friends.
It was a simple yet important question, as she took the time to work through the emotions my son was experiencing and provided suggestions. That advice led to a happy transition to Primary 1 and long-lasting friendships that have remained despite graduating from pre-school five years ago."
Fewer undergraduates in NUS arts and social sciences faculty in past 3 years (20 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Fewer students are opting to specialise in arts and social sciences at the National University of Singapore, with enrolment at the faculty shrinking by nearly a third since 2019.
The faculty had around 6,400 undergraduate students and was NUS’ largest during the 2019/2020 academic year – a number which fell to around 4,400 in 2024, enrolment records from the university’s website showed."
Significant gaps still exist in providing for adults with autism: Denise Phua (20 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – While Singapore has done well in providing for children on the autism spectrum, significant gaps still exist for adults with the condition, said Autism Resource Centre (ARC) president Denise Phua.
The gaps are in three areas – living, lifelong learning and employment – and addressing these priorities will be ARC’s focus for the coming years, Ms Phua said on July 20 at a fund-raising event for ARC called A Very Special Celebration."
The scientist who wants to heal through food (21 July 2024)
"Dr Shen Yiru is mighty chuffed with the new home of The Gentle Group.
Located in an industrial building in Admiralty Road, the 7,600 sq ft space is a massive upgrade from the social enterprise’s previous 360 sq ft base in Geylang."
Minor Issues: A mother learns from her kids how to play (21 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – “Mama, you’re not very good at playing,” said my eight-year-old daughter recently.
“What do you mean, we do crafts together, we bake together,” I answered somewhat defensively."
Fun With Kids: Minions at Universal Studios Singapore; Singapore Art Museum’s Learning Gallery (21 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
A Mega Despicable Summer at Universal Studios Singapore
You and your kids might have met Minions Kevin and Stuart on your previous outings to Universal Studios Singapore."
Should your kid fight back against physical bullies? The answer isn’t as simple as you think (21 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Iden Lee Imran was in Primary 2 when he told his parents that his face hurt.
When they queried him, he revealed that a younger boy had come up to him during recess and punched him in the face before running off."
Jail for ex-SMU Academy associate director who accepted $472k in bribes (22 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – A former associate director of business development at Singapore Management University (SMU) Academy who accepted bribes totalling more than $472,000 was sentenced to three years and six months in jail on July 22.
Christopher Tan Toh Nghee, 46, was also ordered to pay a penalty of $90,552 and will have to spend an additional three months behind bars if he fails to pay the amount."
From revamped Bloobins to imposing fines: Youths debate what it takes to solve S'pore's recycling woes (22 July 2024)
"What would it take to get Singaporeans to recycle more at home? Do we impose fines for throwing non-recyclable items into the Bloobins? Should we increase charges for plastic bags at supermarkets? Will vouchers incentivise people to recycle properly?
These were among the ideas 28 Singaporeans aged 15 to 35 have been discussing as part of a broader National Youth Council (NYC) initiative that not only provides an avenue for young people to voice their views on issues but also actively participate in the creation of national policies to solve them."
Eight young Singaporeans compose classical music inspired by iconic Singapore towns (24 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – How would the spirit of iconic Singapore towns such as Bedok, Geylang Serai and Toa Payoh sound – and in a classical orchestral context to boot?
That was the gauntlet thrown down by Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra’s (ACSO) music director Adrian Chiang, who has marshalled 45 musicians for a fun twist on the usual classical concert ahead of Singapore’s 59th birthday on Aug 9."
Home Team officers given scholarships, sponsorships to pursue further studies (24 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – More than 100 officers were rewarded with scholarships and sponsorships by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for their outstanding service and contributions to the Home Team on July 24.
Among the recipients, 74 officers will pursue their undergraduate studies, while 37 will take on their postgraduate studies."
ITE, yacht operator sign 4th MOU on scholarships, internships for passenger service students (24 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – She had to contend with rocky waters during the monsoon season and long working hours over the course of her six-month internship, but while “it was not all smooth sailing”, Ms Priscilla Pang said she still looked forward to going in to work on the Royal Albatross.
During that time, she served guests, managed registrations and arranged tables aboard the luxury yacht, which offers cruises and dining experiences departing from its base on Sentosa."
Five aspiring reporters receive journalism scholarships from SPH Media (24 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Just a month into her internship with The Straits Times, Ms Kyleen Cabael, 22, was already pitching her own idea for a story for the publication.
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) undergraduate had chanced upon two acquaintances who, in March, posted Instagram stories with a disclaimer to their followers to block anyone claiming to have nudes of them."
New NUS lab to take hydrogen research from lab to real-world settings (25 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – A new laboratory has been launched to help translate hydrogen research and innovation into real-world applications for scaling and commercialisation.
This comes as Singapore has been looking to use low-carbon hydrogen to decarbonise its economy, with the fuel possibly accounting for 50 per cent of its energy needs by 2050."
Basketball coach under investigation for allegedly charging parents fees to enter top schools (25 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – A basketball coach is being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for allegedly taking money to secure students’ admissions into secondary schools.
He allegedly used his connections to get children into prestigious schools through the Direct Admissions Scheme (DSA), reported Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News on July 24. The scheme allows Primary 6 pupils to secure spots early in secondary schools using non-academic talents such as sports and the arts."
2 RI students disciplined and counselled, after 1 seen dressed inappropriately for Racial Harmony Day (25 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Two Raffles Institution (RI) students have been disciplined, after a photo circulated online showing one of them dressed inappropriately during the school’s Racial Harmony Day celebrations.
The photo shows two people standing together, with one – wearing a black top and white trousers – putting his arm over the other. The second person is seen with fair-skinned hands but a darkened face, and is wearing the long-sleeved T-shirt of a food delivery company and white trousers."
Primary 1 registration: 26 oversubscribed schools to hold ballot for Phase 2B (25 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Twenty-six out of 30 oversubscribed primary schools will conduct balloting for places in Phase 2B, the latest stage in the Primary 1 registration process.
At this point of the exercise in 2023, balloting was conducted for 30 schools."
Learn all about Singapore Chinese culture at newly launched website (25 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – A one-stop online repository for Singapore Chinese culture was launched by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) on July 25.
Culturepaedia (culturepaedia.singaporeccc.org.sg) is a free-access platform of curated content that aims to be the go-to source of information on Singapore Chinese culture."
40% rebate on more than 80 NUS master’s programmes from August 2024 (26 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE - Individuals keen on pursuing a master’s degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS) will pay 40 per cent less in tuition fees for more than 80 such programmes from August.
All Singaporean citizens and permanent residents can enjoy this rebate, said NUS president Tan Eng Chye on July 26."
S’pore healthcare scholarship recipient going from patient to healthcare provider (26 July 2024)
"When she was 13, Ms Sarah Anyssa Nor Azmi had a pacemaker implanted to keep her heart beating at the right pace.
She was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, or a hole in the heart, when she was around six months old. Despite undergoing multiple operations, her heart rate did not return to the normal range, and she had to get a pacemaker."
20,000 pre-schoolers from underprivileged families to receive $7m in support from PCF (26 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Pre-school children from lower income families will get $7 million worth of support over the next four years through PAP Community Foundation (PCF) programmes.
Up to 20,000 children will benefit annually from these initiatives, which is a 15 per cent increase in the number of beneficiaries from 2023."
‘We turned our home into HQ when the kids started school’ (4 July 2024)
"When his eldest child enters primary school, Imran Johri starts to feel pangs of separation anxiety. He and his wife go into stealth mode and dial up on the surveillance. In this funny account of strategy meets desperation, the father of three shares how badly he wants the kids to know that all their roads ahead should lead to home.
Imran Johri is a part-time humour writer, full-time father of three who finds the lighter side to parenting every chance he gets.
One of the most pivotal components in my childhood that reinforced the fact that home is the absolute base of operations for us as a family was not some grand gesture or celebratory event. It simply was the daily workday routine of my field technician dad coming home for lunch.
This was not some orchestrated demonstration of fatherhood presence. In fact, it was simply dad rushing home to wolf down a home-cooked meal and then diving onto the sofa for a quick but rigorous nap.
When my siblings and I were younger, this was a hassle. Our primary school teacher mum would rush back home, fix lunch for all of us and, just as we were about to start our post-school playtime ruckus, we had to keep absolutely quiet as dad took his precious short snoozes, ’cos, don’t poke the sleeping bear!
So the lesson then was, literally, be still and quiet, when the fathership was asleep. But the bigger lesson into adulthood, albeit unintentionally, was to make your parental presence felt at home, and to instil the idea that the home was the command centre of our family lives.
This, my wife and I both agreed, was an important component for us to replicate for our own family. So we concocted a plan to make our home the kind of place where all info is gathered, all needs are fulfilled; it should be our kids’ citadel of solace to return to."
She’s there for students who ‘come to school to be loved’ (11 July 2024)
"For Ms Kua Li En, it is important that all her students feel loved and supported. She goes the extra mile to journey with students facing difficulties in school and at home, and views school activities such as debates as opportunities to instill empathy and promote perspective-taking.
Ms Kua teaches English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Character and Citizenship Education at Alexandra Primary School. She is also a Recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
A teaching win for me is … when my students feel supported enough and can enjoy learning.
While I was training to become a teacher, I came across a quote by US educator Nicholas Ferroni: “Students who are loved at home, come to school to learn. And students who aren’t, come to school to be loved.” This quote resonated deeply with me, and has shaped my teaching philosophy.
One of my students, Sam (not his real name), had found out that his mother was not his biological mother. He was struggling academically, often skipping remedial sessions and neglecting his homework. I had a tearful conversation with his mother, who shared with me the difficulties the family faced.
After that heartbreaking conversation, I was determined to help Sam. I spent time with him after school, got to know him better and helped him with his homework.
As Sam grew older, his mother reached out to me, concerned that he was staying out later and not communicating with her. I had multiple heartfelt conversations with Sam about this, emphasising the love that his parents had for him, and reminding him that we all cared for him.
In his final year of primary school, I started hounding Sam to practise Mathematics with me as his goal was to pass his PSLE and I wanted to help him achieve it. Fortunately, he came to realise my intentions and the tables were turned when he started asking me for help with questions. When the PSLE results were released, I was so proud of him! His results improved from his preliminary examinations, and he achieved his goal."
When they ask “why?” in Social Studies, he asks them “why not?” (11 July 2024)
"Mr Lee Jin Wee, Joel doesn’t just tell his students about society, he shows them their potential to shape it. He creates opportunities for them to analyse social issues and demonstrates firsthand how individual contributions can lead to collective progress.
Mr Lee is a Social Studies teacher at Riverside Secondary School and a Recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
What I consider a ‘win’ in teaching is… being able to remove hurdles to success for my students.
Teaching transcends mere imparting of knowledge; it’s a journey, to understand each unique child’s background, experiences, and hurdles in order to harness their potential to the fullest.
Each student has their own circumstances, yet all share the desire to excel and make their loved ones proud.
When I became the form teacher of a Normal Technical (NT) class back in 2019, I encountered students with low motivation and self-esteem. I needed to address the challenges they faced.
I started by spending much time to get to know my students on a personal level. I used to meet them before school started for the day, and during recess. Through these informal settings, students open up. I gave them advice and also lent a listening ear if they faced any challenges. Through building trust and rapport, they developed their concept of self and along with that came the intrinsic desire and confidence to pursue their dreams.
I also invited accomplished people who were once from the NT stream to speak to and motivate them, and tailored and trialled pedagogies that better suit them.
Near their graduation, I got every student to apply to the ITE Early Admissions Exercise and guided them through the process. I wanted them to set goals and to know early that “this is the course I want”. This was also a perfect opportunity to allow students to realise their strengths and achievements."
He celebrates vulnerability – and a little chaos – in class (11 July 2024)
"Mr Edwin Ong Shaoxian believes that every child has a unique voice and what they say matters — even if they don’t say it perfectly. His goal? For students to use their voice for good.
Mr Ong is Head of Department (English Language) at St. Anthony’s Primary School and a Recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
A teaching win for me is…when students dare to step out of their comfort zone.
Harshini was once a rather shy and reserved student.
Since I became her form teacher and English teacher last year, I have been encouraging her to speak up in class, believing she had a voice within her waiting to be heard. The turning point came when she surprised me by volunteering for public-speaking at “Anthonians Unscripted”.
On stage, sharing her experiences about her trip to India, Harshini faced her nerves head-on. Despite moments of forgotten lines and pauses, she persevered with grace. What struck me most was that I didn’t need to intervene; the audience’s support empowered her to complete her speech.
That moment was a culmination of months of hard work and encouragement. Harshini’s journey from a hesitant student to a confident speaker exemplifies the power of providing opportunities for growth.
As an educator, these wins remind me that teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge but also nurturing resilience, self-assurance, and the courage to embrace challenges. Harshini’s story is a testament to the impact of believing in our students’ potential and providing them with the platform to shine."
She serves up Chemistry in a hotpot with a side of positivity (11 July 2024)
"Ms Priscilla Chia engages her students through their stomachs and hearts. She might use a mala hotpot to explain the concept of exothermic reactions, or create CCE opportunities for her students to appreciate unsung heroes.
Ms Chia is a Chemistry teacher at Hwa Chong Institution and a finalist for the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
A teaching win for me is… when students see there is more to life than good grades.
One evening, I was alerted to John (not his real name), a student who had run away from home. I raced to find him.
John had failed a few weighted assessments and faced the possibility of not being able to advance to the next level of study. He felt disheartened that his hard work hadn’t seemed to pay off and his confidence was shaken. I reassured him, saying, “Do you know how proud I am of you?” I had seen him helping others, often at his own expense, and his advocacy for causes he believes in. He was also thriving in his co-curricular activity of robotics, and was good at photography – he shares tips with his peers through hands-on tutorials. These all count for something, about his character and abilities, and he should not define himself only by his grades.
I began one-on-one mentoring sessions with John to change his mindset about himself and to identify the obstacles he was facing.
I encouraged him to be compassionate to himself and to embrace his strengths. Over time, he was able to better manage his negative thoughts and eventually progressed to junior college."
He motivates students through Maths and sustainability causes (11 July 2024)
"Mr Edwin Lim Wei Heng helps students see their potential for personal success and as advocates for the environment. It could happen in surprising ways, including a humble Maths lesson.
Mr Lim is an English, Mathematics and Social Studies teacher at Dazhong Primary School, and a 2024 Outstanding Youth in Education Award finalist.
A teaching win for me is… when my students start to see that success is within their reach.
When I first met Primary 4 student Amanda (not her real name), she was unmotivated in completing her work and would often give up without trying. I sought to better understand the situation and find a way to help her.
During our conversation, she shared that she found schoolwork too difficult and she felt frustrated and helpless. Instead of trying her best to complete her homework, she often chose to leave the questions blank.
I explained to her about the growth mindset, where our effort and attitude towards learning count for everything. Aside from guiding her weekly in her homework, I encouraged her to approach her teachers for help whenever she faced difficulties. Over time, her teachers and I saw improvement in the quality of her homework, and she speaks up in class too.
The steps I have taken to help students like Amanda are part of the school’s H.O.P.E. (“Halt the action, Probe the Action, Prompt Reflections, and Empower Students”) Restorative Practice framework. I find great satisfaction in equipping our students with the skills they need to be empowered learners."
Escape rooms and organ transplant dilemmas – this is how she keeps Science real (11 July 2024)
"Ms Sheena Ng immerses her students in real-life scenarios that they can relate to. When they participate with gusto, she knows she has created the right learning environment for them.
Ms Ng is Subject Head, Chemistry at Nan Hua High School and a Recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
A teaching win for me is… when students see learning as a key to fulfilling a dream.
“Always remember that someone out there loves you more than you know”, was one of the toughest yet most memorable messages I had for a student. She struggled with school attendance and assimilating back into school after a mental health-related break.
She held onto her dreams of becoming a marine biologist. Her enthusiasm for understanding the anatomy of marine animals and exploring the unknowns of marine life fuelled my determination to help her find a path to achieve it.
It wasn’t an easy journey, but I assured her that she wasn’t alone. Rallying her mother to work with us, the three of us explored the Polytechnic Early Admission Exercise together. Worried that the stress of the O-Levels might be too much for her, I made it a point to wait for her after each exam. We would talk briefly before she went home, helping her understand that every milestone was worth celebrating.
She completed her O-Levels, graduated, and went on to a Science programme at a polytechnic. While her path still holds uncertainties, she has gained greater confidence in herself and trust in her ability to work towards her goals."
She teaches the Science of getting students to care for society (11 July 2024)
"Ms Charlene Tan’s students don’t just learn about rivers, they tackle the upstream impact on keeping it clean. How? By engaging the community.
Ms Tan is Subject Head, Science at St Andrew’s Secondary and a Recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
A teaching win for me is… when students do not ask: “Will this be tested in the exam?”
Through the evolution of questions that students ask, I see that they care more about society than simply mugging for a test.
One of our school’s signature Science programmes is River Studies, where students learn about what it takes to keep the rivers in Singapore clean, which includes the various purification methods.
I brought our students to the Kallang River, which is a stone’s throw away from our school. Students first asked, “How can we measure how clean this water is?”
After several sessions of water collection and data logging with the Geography and PE departments, their question evolved to, “What can we do to improve the quality of the water?”
As we started brainstorming ideas, they later asked, “Who can we partner with to improve the river’s quality?”
To this end, we decided to involve the Potong Pasir community. We created posters to rally the residents to care for the river, to not feed the animals, and to appreciate the vast resources that go into keeping the river bodies clean.
Encouragingly, a student who is usually more reserved asked me when we could go out to collect river water again."
Art is Messi, no longer messy for her student (11 July 2024)
"When her soccer-loving student stopped hiding his sketchbook from her, Ms Tsering Choden was delighted at the change of heart. To ignite a love for art in her students, she engages them with what’s trending both online and in their lives.
Ms Tsering is an Art teacher and a Subject Head (ICT) at Yuan Ching Secondary School, and a 2024 Outstanding Youth in Education Award finalist.
A teaching win for me is… being able to excite my students about art.
In the art classroom, John’s (not his real name) disinterest was palpable. His work was haphazardly and impatiently done, in stark contrast to the passion he displayed for his CCA, soccer. As he took out his sketchbook, he made sure to keep it hidden from view, as if shielding the world from his perceived inadequacies. He came in with the idea that he lacked talent and therefore would not do well.
In Secondary 2, I suggested combining his love for soccer with art for a photo manipulation task. “Huh, can meh?” John said. He was sceptical but he started looking up images of his favourite player, Messi. With guidance on his personal learning device, he superimposed himself seamlessly onto the field, playing against Messi. The outcome surprised himself and his classmates as it turned out so realistic.
Inspired, I introduced a logo redesign project to the class, and urged John to think about the logo of his favourite football club. This time, John dove into the task eagerly, his passion for soccer fuelling his creativity. He became more confident and willing to practise his skills. Soon, he was able to observe 3D forms and moved on from drawing stickman figures to a more realistic style.
Today, John embraces his newfound skill, and even chose Art as an Upper Secondary elective. I am reminded of the valuable lesson that sometimes, all it takes is a bit of encouragement and drawing the connection for my students, to unlock the hidden potential in every student."
Where to next? His students turn into explorers when it’s time for Geography (11 July 2024)
"Mr Andrea Brendan Ang Chin Wei delights in whisking his students from the floor of a rainforest one day to the heights of a volcano’s edge the next. Through field trips and technology, he helps them to appreciate the beauty of the world up close.
Mr Ang is Subject Head, Geography at Compassvale Secondary School and a 2024 Outstanding Youth in Education Award finalist.
A teaching win for me is… when learning comes alive in my classes.
“How do you think the Eras Tour will affect Singapore?”
I posed this question to my students earlier this year. Taylor Swift was going to perform at the National Stadium and I wanted to capitalise on my students’ excitement! But what does this superstar have to do with Geography? Quite a bit.
Geography is frequently misunderstood by students as a subject that is about memorising facts about distant, far-flung places or reading the world map. As a result, they struggle to see its relevance to their lives. They couldn’t be more wrong!
I bridge this gap by relating what they are learning with what they are experiencing. I ask questions to spark their curiosity and pepper my lessons with what’s going on out there. Lessons are also designed for my students to gather and make sense of real-world data because this lets them see how the learning is applicable to their lives. I want to instil in them a zest for lifelong learning and teach them the skills to make sense of the world around them.
Back to the ‘Swiftdom’-themed lesson, one of my students, Shirlene, exclaimed, “’Cher, did you know that Taylor Swift single-handedly revived the local craft shops in Singapore? All the shops sold out their craft works thanks to the Swifties. There was none left for me!”
Another student, Daniel, quipped, “But at least the craft shops get to earn more from this craze.”
The lesson was initially about the impact of tourism, but this turn in the conversation catalysed a deeper exploration of what economic impact might look like, with my students’ personal anecdotes serving as valuable insights into the topic."
Go ahead and ‘play the fool’ in his Literature classes (11 July 2024)
"There’s no such thing as being too silly in Mr Jerome Lim’s class – he gets students to speak up, embrace the creative process, and not fear getting the answers wrong.
Mr Lim is Subject Head (Internal), Literature at Whitley Secondary School and a 2024 Outstanding Youth in Education Award finalist.
A teaching win for me is… when my students want to be The Fool.
The Fool, in Shakespeare’s works, refers to characters who may seem silly and amusing but who may also reveal hidden truths and wisdom.
I hope my students will be ‘foolish’ in feeling brave enough to step outside of their comfort zones, ask questions, and share their opinions aloud, even at the risk of looking ‘silly’ – there’s no such thing!
I vividly remember a student who was often distracted in class, doing odd things such as rolling on the floor. For an entire year, he would plagiarise or use ChatGPT to generate entire essays. It dawned on me that it might be because of his fear of providing the wrong answers.
For one year, I tried to work his antics into the lesson, and more importantly, show him that it’s okay to just try. I used his penchant for drama to act out segments of the text, and also gave him the opportunity to perform his own written poem to the class. Later, he texted me on my birthday to thank me for “not giving up on (him)” and making it safe for him to express himself.
I especially enjoy it when students share their considered views freely."
Creating safe, supportive spaces for her students puts a smile on her face (11 July 2024)
"To bring smiles to her classroom, Miss Amirinazeb D/O Aurangzeb tools up with innovative ideas for more engaging lessons and sits with the students who need more care.
Miss Amirinazeb teaches English and Science at CHIJ Kellock and is a Recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2024.
A teaching win for me is… seeing smiles light up my students’ faces.
Smiles tell me that understanding has dawned; that challenges are overcome, and success is celebrated. Smiles reveal a sense of confidence and joy of learning within students.
I remember working with a student whose smile I hardly saw. Every morning was a struggle to get her to school, her parents told me; there’d be crying, screaming, tantrums, the like. When she did get to school, she’d refuse to speak. It was clear she’d lost her smile, and it became my mission to restore it.
Each morning, I checked in with her mother. I journalled with the girl every day for a month. We filled the journal with words of encouragement and photos of us working together. I think having these tangible reminders of our growing relationship helped her realise there was an adult she could trust in school, that school was a safe place.
We had a class ‘pet’ – a narwhal plushie called Cotton Candy – that students go to when they’re down. It was a silent confidant, offering comfort when words failed. One afternoon, when the girl was bent on silence, I gave her the plushie. “Both Cotton Candy and I are here for you. We’re a team! We won’t give up on you,” I assured her, as she wrapped her fingers around the toy. Slowly, her face softened. The corner of her lips lifted – a smile!
Over time, I saw that beautiful smile frequently. Sure enough, her parents, too, noticed a change in their child’s attitude towards school. No more morning tantrums!"
‘Winning as parents means making competition fun’ (19 July 2024)
"From piggyback squats to language skills, every challenge is fair game in the household led by “Bababear” Imran Johri and “Mamabear” Ivy. But it’s not just about the laughs –- the kids gain lessons in resilience and creativity too. Welcome to the warm, funny and fiercely competitive world of the “Bearclan” family.
Imran Johri is a part-time humour writer, full-time father of three who finds the lighter side to parenting every chance he gets.
My wife Ivy and I have been insufferably competitive since the day we started dating. Whenever one of us issues a challenge, regardless of ridiculousness, the other will doggedly rise to the challenge.
Catastrophic challenges — ranging from “maximum number of deep squats while piggybacking the spouse” to “who can execute the highest heel click” — have often resulted in some form of unnecessary contortion (my way of saying don’t everyone go trying this at home).
This, of course, is also reflected in our parenting style. Anything and everything can be turned into a competition, so I’ve passed on this streak to my kids. The longest-running competition, which is still hotly contested by our kids, is the “who can make Baba laugh uncontrollably” league.
Its popularity is not due to some altruistic motivation to bring joy to the father, but rather, each successful joke or comedic action is justly rewarded with points that can be traded for money. The going rate? A dollar a point. And I get to decide on how many points per effort, based on some system of Bababear-type arbitrary-ness mixed with how many tears of laughter were shed."
Levelling up: How primary schools support students from disadvantaged backgrounds (24 July 2024)
"In this article exploring how schools support underprivileged students and their families, we meet Mr Kelvin Koh, the upper primary Year Head of St Anthony’s Primary School. He explains how the school designs programmes to meet the different needs of children who require extra support, whether in their learning or adjustment issues in Primary 1. We also learn more from members of the community who pull together in support of these students as part of MOE’s UPLIFT efforts.
Huddled around the TV with his excited children, Mr Kelvin Koh looks forward to family entertainment time on weekends. One of their favourite programmes is the hit Japanese anime Naruto.
Off-screen, the ninja character also appears in a stack of sketches that Mr Koh, the upper primary Year Head at St Anthony’s Primary School, carefully saves in a plastic folder.
The artworks are gifts from a former student, who navigated a bumpy journey of growth and transformation. And Mr Koh had played a big part in nudging him on.
The boy had transferred schools at Primary 5 and joined Mr Koh’s Foundation Class, a curriculum designed for less academically inclined students in primary school. The boy seemed upset at the change of environment.
Mr Koh then learned that there was a recent and major change in his life – he had to move with his grandmother into a public rental flat after his parents were incarcerated. A change in school added stress for him.
The boy was then admitted into ASCEND, the school’s after-school student development programme to engage upper primary students in need. The timetable lent stability to the students’ afternoons, with scheduled homework and play time, sports, and activities like music, art, and dance.
There, the boy also picked up skills such as time management and planning his day, and could socialise with schoolmates and teachers."
Go far, go together: How secondary schools support teens in need (24 July 2024)
"When schools face students with chronic absenteeism, they dig deep to identify the students’ needs and find solutions. They also partner the community to draw a ring of support and services around the student. We meet Serangoon Garden Secondary School’s Head of Student Management, Mr Shahul Hameed S/O Kuthubudeen, to understand how secondary schools like his are joining forces with community partners as part of MOE’s UPLIFT efforts to support underprivileged students and their families.
For one student in Serangoon Garden Secondary School (SGSS), misfortune came knocking at the tender age of 15. At the time, his mother fell ill and his father also lost his job.
As the family finances began to dwindle and hospital visits became more frequent, the Secondary 3 student was saddled with extra responsibilities. He had to accompany his mother for hospital appointments, and even attend meetings on payments for their rental flat.
All this came to light when his school attendance suffered.
“We realised that this boy needed support,” says Mr Shahul Hameed S/O Kuthubudeen, Head of Student Management at the school. “But we couldn’t just help him, we had to help his whole family.”
Thankfully, the school could tap on a key community partner via the Ministry of Education’s (MOE’s) UPLIFT efforts for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Officers from the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s ComLink1 initiative, that supports families living in public rental housing, stepped in and appealed to the Housing and Development Board to reduce the family’s rent. It also provided employment support to the boy’s father, which eased the family’s financial burden.
“The boy was happier. He’s now coming back to school regularly,” says Mr Shahul with a smile."
Grade expectations: ‘I sailed through school so why is my son struggling?’ (26 July 2024)
"Parent and lecturer Ian Tan found studying easy and expected his son to perform equally well at school. When the boy struggled, this dad found himself unprepared and mistakenly imposed his own expectations and experiences on his son.
In 2012, I was part of Our Singapore Conversation, a massive nationwide exercise to hold dialogue sessions with 47,000 Singaporeans to shape the country’s future. I was sitting in a group dialogue session and the topic was about the local education system.
An elderly man in the group struck up a conversation with me and asked about my fatherhood journey.
I shared with him that my then nine-year-old son’s school grades were getting worse and I didn’t know what to do. I had tried everything from coaching him to encouraging him, and it often ended up with me scolding him harshly.
The man asked gently, “What is your definition of a good grade in school?”
I replied, “Umm, about 85 marks?”
He smiled and said, “Who defined that number for you?”
I was dumbstruck. You see, I had grown up getting what I would consider good grades at every stage of my education path and so thought of anything lower than that as “bad”.
From the time we had streaming in Primary 4 until the day I completed junior college, I was always in the top few classes in school.
In university, I was awarded a scholarship with Singapore Press Holdings and graduated as the valedictorian of my faculty."
Closing of 13th ASEAN Schools Games: Singapore Student Athletes Displayed Tenacity and Sportsmanship (9 June 2024)
"The 13th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) concluded on 7 June 2024 in Da Nang, Vietnam. Over the six-day competition from 1 to 6 June, the Singapore Schools Sports Team (SSST) displayed resilience, tenacity and sportsmanship, and bagged a total of 32 medals, comprising 4 Golds, 8 Silvers, and 20 Bronzes across Athletics, Badminton, Basketball and Swimming."
Singapore Students Show High Levels of Creative Thinking Skills: OECD PISA 2022 (18 June 2024)
"According to the 2022 results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Singapore is the top-performing education system in Creative Thinking among 64 participating systems. A representative sampling of 6,600 15-year-old students across all 149 secondary schools and 15 private schools in Singapore participated in the study from April to May 2022."
Students Showcase Their Creativity at Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Competition (28 June 2024)
"30 students from ten schools were recognised for their creativity and proficiency in scriptwriting at the "Script it Right" Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Competition Awards Ceremony ("与声剧来"中文广播剧创作比赛). Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Ms Gan Siow Huang, was the Guest-of-Honour at the event. The competition was jointly organised by CPCLL, local radio station UFM100.3 and Holy Innocents' High School."
2024 School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans (2 July 2024)
"The Ministry of Education (MOE) welcomes Singaporean students who are overseas to join our primary and secondary schools, junior colleges (JC) and Millennia Institute (MI) upon their return."
Six Young Educators Receive National Award for Dedication in Nurturing Students (11 July 2024)
"In recognition of their unwavering dedication to teaching, six young teachers received the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) from Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, at the National Institute of Education (NIE) Teachers' Investiture Ceremony held on Thursday, 11 July 2024."
New Record Set for Largest Zapin Dance at 4th Malay Finesse Fiesta (13 July 2024)
"More than 300 student participants set a new Singapore Book of Records for the largest Zapin dance at the 4th Malay Finesse Fiesta (Fiesta Kesantunan) today. The mass dance celebrates Malay culture by showcasing the grace and poise of Malay dance movements."
28 Preschool Teachers Recognised for Using Storytelling Aids to Cultivate Love for Chinese Language Learning (13 July 2024)
"Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), Ms Gan Siow Huang, and Member of Parliament of Jurong GRC and Leader of CPCLL Preschool Group, Mr Xie Yao Quan presented awards to the top three groups of winners for the Preschool Storytelling Aids Competition 2024(2024年学前华文教师故事教具制作比赛). The competition aims to encourage preschool Chinese Language (CL) teachers to engage children using creative storytelling to nurture their interest in learning the language. The awards were presented to 28 teachers at the annual Seminar for Preschool Chinese Language Teachers."
Racial Harmony Day 2024 Singapore: Our Multicultural Mosaic (19 July 2024)
"Racial Harmony Day (RHD) is commemorated annually by schools to enable students to gain a deeper appreciation of racial harmony and social cohesion. Continuing with the theme of 'Singapore: Our Multicultural Mosaic', the emphasis is on the rich diversity that makes up our multicultural society, which contributes to our shared sense of harmony and cohesion. This year, schools will observe RHD on Friday, 19 July."
More Than 100 Students Recognised for Their Chinese Text Recital Skills in Annual Competition (20 July 2024)
"108 primary and secondary school students were recognised for their vocal articulation, fluency and stage presence at the 7th National Text Recital Competition. Guest-of-Honour Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Education and Chairperson of the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), presented awards to the winners at an award ceremony today."
Performing Arts-Based Learning (22 July 2024)
"Jointly developed and funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and National Arts Council (NAC), Performing Arts-Based Learning (PABL) is a core learning experience in the lower secondary Music curriculum, providing every student with the opportunity to experience a bespoke live music performance in a professional arts and cultural venue. PABL will be progressively rolled out to all secondary schools from 2024 to 2027."
How these families are planting the seed of giving so their kids can reap a lifetime of volunteerism, charity (1 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — One of Ms Kelda Chua’s earliest memories of volunteerism was tagging along with her father to distribute food to needy families when she was in primary school.
Now, the 30-year-old volunteer manager at Care Community Services Society still volunteers regularly for various causes on top of her full-time work.
“Whatever (volunteering experience) that has happened in my younger days has definitely impacted how I am now, how I have grown to have this in my blood, in my system,” she said."
Teenager who killed River Valley High schoolmate with axe appeals against sentence (1 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A teenager who was sentenced to 16 years in jail for killing his schoolmate with an axe at River Valley High School turned to the Court of Appeal on Monday (July 1) to seek a shorter prison term.
After hearing arguments for a full morning, the panel of three judges said they would take time to consider and would issue full findings in due course.
The young man, who turned 19 this year, cannot be named as he committed the offence when he was under the age of 18 and is protected under the Children and Young Persons Act."
Trial begins of ex-preschool teacher accused of ill-treating 2-year-old; video of her dragging child played in court (1 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A trial got underway on Monday (July 1) of a former Chinese teacher at a preschool who is contesting a charge of ill-treating a two-year-old girl.
Wu Jiaying, a 31-year-old from China, is accused of carrying and forcefully placing the girl on the floor and onto a chair at the preschool, grabbing and lifting the girl by her left arm before pulling her across the classroom.
She is also accused of grabbing the girl by the shoulder and shaking her violently."
Kindergarten officer admits to ill-treating boy, 5, whom she deemed to be ‘uncooperative’ (2 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A woman who was in charge of taking care of students at a kindergarten abused a five-year-old boy whom she had deemed to be “uncooperative” and “disruptive”.
On Tuesday (July 2), the 54-year-old woman was convicted of a charge under the Children and Young Persons Act of ill-treating a child under her charge or care.
The woman, the boy and the kindergarten cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim."
‘Look within yourself, don’t compare with others’, Lawrence Wong urges young S’poreans in first youth engagement as PM (2 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has urged youths to look within themselves and follow their talents in deciding their career paths, stressing that the Government will provide more opportunities for Singaporeans to pursue their diverse aspirations and their own definitions of success.
“We all have our own abilities and strengths — there is no need to compare with others, to squeeze into boxes we are not meant to fit.
“Instead, follow your talents and strive to reach your own full potential,” he said."
Dialogue with youth: PM Wong on finding balance in Singapore's workforce, making mistakes in life and doing meaningful work (3 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — In what was his first youth engagement since being sworn in as prime minister, Mr Lawrence Wong got a glimpse into what was top of mind for students from various tertiary institutions here.
Queueing up behind the microphones for their turn, they asked him questions that ranged from career advice to social mobility, and even if it was permissible for Members of Parliament (MPs) to hold second jobs.
About 900 students were in attendance for the dialogue session held at the Singapore Management University (SMU) on Tuesday (July 2) evening."
Metis preschool in Tampines shuts with a day's notice, ECDA to bar operator from applying for new licences (5 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — The operator of a preschool in Tampines will be barred from applying for any new Early Childhood Development Centre licences, after a second breach of requirements in three months.
The preschool, Metis Little Campus at The Tapestry condominium, abruptly shut on July 2 with only a day's notice given to parents.
Preschools are required to provide six months’ notice to parents and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) before ceasing operations."
The Big Read in short: Inside Singapore’s buzzing literary scene (5 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — Ms Kyla Zhao felt terribly isolated and homesick during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 as a student at Stanford University in the United States.
In an effort to feel closer to home, Ms Zhao, now 26, sought solace in writing about Singapore.
That eventually evolved into her first novel, The Fraud Squad, a tale of a young woman who infiltrates the local high-society scene in hopes of getting a coveted writing position at a luxury magazine."
The Big Read: Singapore writers are going places but what’s the next chapter for SingLit? (5 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — In 2020, in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, Singaporean Kyla Zhao felt terribly isolated and homesick as a student at Stanford University in the United States.
Travel restrictions and grounded flights also left her feeling bereft and unsure if she would see the sunny shores of Singapore again.
In an effort to feel closer to home, Ms Zhao, now 26, sought solace in writing about Singapore."
Gen Z Speaks: I was a socially awkward loner in secondary school. Being in online fandoms taught me to be braver and bolder (5 July 2024)
"Transitioning from primary to secondary school was like stepping into a whole new world. In a strange new social landscape full of unfamiliar faces, cliques quickly began to form, and I soon found myself struggling to fit in anywhere.
Not having the latest “cool” phones like many of my peers, I was often subjected to their teasing. The phone I had was old and couldn't handle many applications — to my parents, the only point of a phone was so I could communicate with them.
Being a teenager is tough for everyone, but for a 13-year-old in 2017, being on social media was vital for social acceptance. Not being clued in on what my classmates were doing or saying on social media made me feel more self-conscious, awkward, and alone."
Globe-trotting Singapore family responds to critics after 4-year-old son fell ill during trek to Mount Everest's base camp (5 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A pair of Singaporean parents recently came under fire for their decision to take their four-year-old son on a hike to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
Civil servants Rakcent Wong, 35, and Carol Tan, 36, are travelling the world for two years with their son Atlas Wong.
They document their travels on a joint Instagram account named “Engaging Atlas” and Ms Tan’s own Instagram account under the user name “fitmumwannabe”."
Jail for man who entered NTU campus to film woman in shower, trespass into dormitory (8 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — Ril Iskandar Mohamed Gazali had just finished work as a technician in Jurong but he was not planning to head home just yet.
Instead, he rode his motorcycle into the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) campus and wandered around.
He did this twice: The first time, he filmed a woman showering in the toilet, and the following month, he trespassed into a female student’s dormitory."
#trending: Netizens debate S'pore's longest bus route, curious over fare as student takes 3-hour ride to study (10 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – A Ngee Ann Polytechnic student has gone viral for taking one of Singapore's longest bus rides, from Woodlands to Changi Airport and back, in order to study on the bus.
In a video posted to TikTok on Sunday (July 7), Mr Neo Jia Yu, 18, a second year mass communication student, shared his attempt at being productive on a bus.
In the video, Mr Neo, who has the user name "keerigiri", said he had multiple outstanding assignments to complete and wanted a change of scenery to be more productive."
Gen Y Speaks: I was a science dunce in school. But I refused to give up, and now I'm a science professor (12 July 2024)
"When I was 14, my dream was to be the next Michael Jordan.
Basketball was everything to me. I spent so much time training for basketball that I ended up neglecting my studies.
As a result, I failed all my science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, and Biology."
Are children and teenagers taking too much caffeine? Here’s how it affects their bodies and minds (13 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — Teenager Titus Yan used to start his day by drinking a bottle of green tea (or two) in the morning, followed by bubble tea or an energy drink to power through the afternoon, and then some fizzy soft drink, preferably cola, to wash down his dinner.
“It got to a point where I was drinking all these daily. I thought they made me more focused and energised,” the 15-year-old said.
For the Secondary 3 student, his caffeine habit was nothing out of the ordinary. When asked by TODAY, he could not think of anyone in his circle of friends who did not consume caffeinated drinks."
Community Heroes: I immersed myself in a rental flat estate to help kids cope with isolation. Here's what I learnt (14 July 2024)
"In 2019, 6th Sense was initiated. It was a ground-up movement that I began with co-founders, Jezamine Chua and Manisha Nishad.
We befriend and engage children and youth aged under 18 who live in Housing and Development Board rental flats at Kebun Baru, which is located in Ang Mo Kio.
We do this two Saturday evenings a month."
Self-radicalised student, 14, and ex-public servant, 33, served restriction orders under ISA; Israel-Hamas war the 'common trigger' for both (15 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A 14-year-old student aspiring to fight for a prophesised Muslim army and launch attacks in Singapore was among two self-radicalised individuals issued with restriction orders under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The student was issued the order in June, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Monday (July 15). He is the youngest individual to date to be issued with an ISA order.
The other is An’nadya An’nahari, a 33-year-old former manager with a statutory board, who received her restriction order in July. This makes her the second public servant to be issued with one."
Teen pleads guilty to assaulting classmate, rioting, selling unregistered pills in Geylang (17 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — Claiming that he could not find work due to ongoing police investigations, a 17-year-old carried a bag containing more than 400 units of unlicensed health products to sell in Geylang while on bail.
He pleaded guilty to nine charges on Monday (July 15), including seven charges of selling unregistered health products, one charge of rioting and one charge of voluntarily causing hurt.
A judge called for two reports to assess the teenager’s suitability for probation and reformative training."
Primary 1 registration 2024: 38 schools oversubscribed in Phase 2A (18 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A total of 38 schools were oversubscribed in Phase 2A of the Primary 1 registration exercise this year, latest data from the Ministry of Education showed on Thursday (July 18).
Applications under Phase 2A started at 9am on July 11 and closed at 4.30pm the following day.
The number of oversubscribed schools was more than last year, when 27 schools were oversubscribed in this phase."
Gen Y Speaks: I never cared about a degree, until my first 2 businesses failed. Now I see how education isn’t just a piece of paper (19 July 2024)
"I’ve always been drawn to success stories of college dropouts like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, entrepreneurs who seemed to have “made it” in life by trusting their vision.
When I graduated from polytechnic at age 20 with dreams of starting my own business, I thought that simply having the drive and putting in the hard work was sufficient for me to succeed.
Youth was my advantage, I decided. Completing one’s tertiary education, to me, wasn’t necessarily the key to entrepreneurial success."
RI student disciplined for dressing up as dark-skinned delivery rider on Racial Harmony Day (25 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE – Raffles Institution (RI) has taken disciplinary action against a student who dressed as a dark-skinned delivery rider on Racial Harmony Day, said its principal on Thursday (July 25).
A photo of the student wearing a mask with the face of a dark-skinned man, along with long-sleeved foodpanda uniform, made its rounds on Reddit on Wednesday, and the thread quickly garnered reactions online.
The photo was captioned: “What RI students wore for Racial Harmony Day”."
Singapore investigates basketball coach for allegedly taking bribes to put children in top schools (26 July 2024)
"SINGAPORE — A basketball coach is being investigated by Singapore authorities for allegedly accepting improper payments to get students into secondary schools under the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.
In response to CNA's queries, the Education Ministry (MOE) said the coach has been deregistered since April and is no longer working in any MOE school. Coaches must be registered with MOE to be engaged by schools.
His National Registry of Coaches membership has also been suspended, according to the Sport Singapore statutory board."