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Online users express anger towards Chan Chun Sing over his remarks of calling people “idiots” and “disgraceful”
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Keechiu was happy that laughter and smiles filled the school hall at St. Anthony’s Primary School (SAPS). 
On a Saturday morning a few weeks ago, laughter and smiles filled the school hall at St. Anthony’s Primary School (SAPS) as 194 fathers and their children completed challenges like a three-legged race and hula hoop race.
The school’s annual ‘Get Active! With Dad’ event has returned after a two-year hiatus. Organised by Fathers@SAPS, the event has been a regular feature since 2016.
The unique fathers’ group was set up back in 2016, by seven founding dads and teacher Mr Kok Boon Siang. A meet-up over breakfast and a shared belief that dads play an important role in a child’s overall development led to the formalisation of the group.
Father’s Day weekend may be over, but there’s still about a week left of the June holidays. If you haven’t got a chance to spend quality time together with your children yet, do take the time to do so.
[Photos: St Anthony's Primary School FB Page]
#ourschoolstories
Chan Chun Sing added 3 new photos.
13 hrs ·On a Saturday morning a few weeks ago, laughter and smiles filled the school hall at St. Anthony’s Primary School (SAPS) as 194 fathers and their children completed challenges like a three-legged race and hula hoop race.
The school’s annual ‘Get Active! With Dad’ event has returned after a two-year hiatus. Organised by Fathers@SAPS, the event has been a regular feature since 2016.
The unique fathers’ group was set up back in 2016, by seven founding dads and teacher Mr Kok Boon Siang. A meet-up over breakfast and a shared belief that dads play an important role in a child’s overall development led to the formalisation of the group.
Father’s Day weekend may be over, but there’s still about a week left of the June holidays. If you haven’t got a chance to spend quality time together with your children yet, do take the time to do so.
[Photos: St Anthony's Primary School FB Page]
#ourschoolstories
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - In Finland, all 38 of its higher education institutions have joined forces to provide more flexible lifelong learning opportunities on one platform.
Singapore, which has a similar population size as Finland but has smaller land area, has the potential to develop such a platform in its push to meet the needs of lifelong learners, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Friday (June 17).
The Republic has already invested much in the first 15 years of school life - but needs to look at things from a new perspective by also focusing on the next 50 years of learning, he said.
He added: "We need to break down this artificial divide between study and work. In fact, we need a new 'work-learn balance'."
Mr Chan said that there has been discussion on how to curate the best or most relevant modules across education institutions onto a platform for adult learners.
National University of Singapore president Tan Eng Chye said the six autonomous universities here have different expertise and strengths which can be leveraged to curate very targeted programmes for continuing education and training (CET) learners.
Singapore Management University president Lily Kong noted collaborations between the universities in research, postdoctorate and undergraduate programmes, adding: "But the CET space is the one space I think we haven't actually put our minds together and that seems to offer a real opportunity."
The Finnish initiative, titled Digivisio 2030, will use big data and artificial intelligence to come up with personalised guidance for students, taking into account their backgrounds, previous education history, work experience and the job market situation, said Professor Ilkka Niemela, president of Aalto University in Finland.
The platform will then "flexibly combine offerings from different universities to really try to fit the individual needs of the students", he said.
These remarks came at the closing of a meeting of the 12th International Academic Advisory Panel at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel from Wednesday to Friday.
The panel, appointed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), meets about every three years. The current panel comprises a diverse group of 15 academic and industry leaders from around the world such as Japan, China, Israel, Australia and the United States, among others.
It is chaired by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
In his opening remarks at the meeting on Thursday, he said that there is a need to prepare the young and equip them differently for the challenges and opportunities of the new phase that the world is in, that tests resilience and resolve.
He questioned the balance between input-driven learning - knowledge is imbibed from different fields - and problem-driven learning - where learning is organised around the challenges faced, such as the challenges of climate change, of ageing societies, or the challenges of keeping the peace.
"These are not mutually exclusive options. We may need a range of models. But we do need to decide on the basic shifts in balance between these options for a new future, within each university and across the system," he said.
In a statement, MOE said the panel discussions revolved around three key priorities for universities in a rapidly changing world - developing agile and resilient graduates committed to the collective good; lifelong learning; and enhancing university teams and ecosystems.
The panel suggested infusing more experiential learning into the curriculum, greater flexibility in learning pathways and modalities, as well as developing stronger university teams that are forward-looking and agile, among others.
MOE said that the panel noted tensions between breadth and depth of learning, given the time available to students and the range of learner needs.
Panellists then suggested striking a balance between the two by strengthening experiential and team-based learning that brings together individuals with different domains of expertise to work together in multidisciplinary teams.
SMU president Lily Kong noted collaborations among Singapore's six autonomous universities. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Mr Chan noted that Singapore universities already have some form of this in their capstone projects.
He said: "The way they structure the problem, the way they structure the challenges, requires them to bring together people from different disciplines."
The panel also encouraged intermediaries to work with small- and medium-size enterprises to aggregate their skills demands, and that multiple education institutions and companies should work together to better meet business needs.
MOE said the panel also recommended that universities create more porosity in career tracks for faculty, or set up joint appointments to bring in industry expertise.
The panellists also suggested that local universities work with international partners to develop a more holistic set of metrics.
Mr Chan said that Singapore has already been looking into the different dimensions needed to evaluate its own success beyond the traditional metrics of research and teaching, but also lifelong learning and societal impact.
S'pore exploring how to curate best modules across institutions for adult learners: Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE - In Finland, all 38 of its higher education institutions have joined forces to provide more flexible lifelong learning opportunities on one platform.
Singapore, which has a similar population size as Finland but has smaller land area, has the potential to develop such a platform in its push to meet the needs of lifelong learners, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Friday (June 17).
The Republic has already invested much in the first 15 years of school life - but needs to look at things from a new perspective by also focusing on the next 50 years of learning, he said.
He added: "We need to break down this artificial divide between study and work. In fact, we need a new 'work-learn balance'."
Mr Chan said that there has been discussion on how to curate the best or most relevant modules across education institutions onto a platform for adult learners.
National University of Singapore president Tan Eng Chye said the six autonomous universities here have different expertise and strengths which can be leveraged to curate very targeted programmes for continuing education and training (CET) learners.
Singapore Management University president Lily Kong noted collaborations between the universities in research, postdoctorate and undergraduate programmes, adding: "But the CET space is the one space I think we haven't actually put our minds together and that seems to offer a real opportunity."
The Finnish initiative, titled Digivisio 2030, will use big data and artificial intelligence to come up with personalised guidance for students, taking into account their backgrounds, previous education history, work experience and the job market situation, said Professor Ilkka Niemela, president of Aalto University in Finland.
The platform will then "flexibly combine offerings from different universities to really try to fit the individual needs of the students", he said.
These remarks came at the closing of a meeting of the 12th International Academic Advisory Panel at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel from Wednesday to Friday.
The panel, appointed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), meets about every three years. The current panel comprises a diverse group of 15 academic and industry leaders from around the world such as Japan, China, Israel, Australia and the United States, among others.
It is chaired by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
In his opening remarks at the meeting on Thursday, he said that there is a need to prepare the young and equip them differently for the challenges and opportunities of the new phase that the world is in, that tests resilience and resolve.
He questioned the balance between input-driven learning - knowledge is imbibed from different fields - and problem-driven learning - where learning is organised around the challenges faced, such as the challenges of climate change, of ageing societies, or the challenges of keeping the peace.
"These are not mutually exclusive options. We may need a range of models. But we do need to decide on the basic shifts in balance between these options for a new future, within each university and across the system," he said.
In a statement, MOE said the panel discussions revolved around three key priorities for universities in a rapidly changing world - developing agile and resilient graduates committed to the collective good; lifelong learning; and enhancing university teams and ecosystems.
The panel suggested infusing more experiential learning into the curriculum, greater flexibility in learning pathways and modalities, as well as developing stronger university teams that are forward-looking and agile, among others.
MOE said that the panel noted tensions between breadth and depth of learning, given the time available to students and the range of learner needs.
Panellists then suggested striking a balance between the two by strengthening experiential and team-based learning that brings together individuals with different domains of expertise to work together in multidisciplinary teams.
SMU president Lily Kong noted collaborations among Singapore's six autonomous universities. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Mr Chan noted that Singapore universities already have some form of this in their capstone projects.
He said: "The way they structure the problem, the way they structure the challenges, requires them to bring together people from different disciplines."
The panel also encouraged intermediaries to work with small- and medium-size enterprises to aggregate their skills demands, and that multiple education institutions and companies should work together to better meet business needs.
MOE said the panel also recommended that universities create more porosity in career tracks for faculty, or set up joint appointments to bring in industry expertise.
The panellists also suggested that local universities work with international partners to develop a more holistic set of metrics.
Mr Chan said that Singapore has already been looking into the different dimensions needed to evaluate its own success beyond the traditional metrics of research and teaching, but also lifelong learning and societal impact.
Keechiu introduces Calming Jar. 
“When I am feeling sad or angry, looking at the glitter in the Calming Jar makes me feel better,” shared Reina Teo, a P2 student at Jing Shan Primary School.
These Calming Jars were prepared by the P6s to be given to their juniors. The students made them as part of the school’s Grow and Flourish Day at the end of Term 2, during which students learn how emotions are linked to their thoughts and behaviours through games and activities.
The P6s passionately explained to their juniors, “The jar is like your mind and the glitter in the jar represents your thoughts and feelings. You cannot see clearly if all your thoughts and feelings are getting in the way. If you are not feeling happy, give the jar a swirl and watch the glitter slowly settle to the bottom of the jar. As you watch, you will feel yourself calming down and your negative emotions going away. Try it!”
What a useful tool to help students learn to regulate emotions and grow their self-awareness! If you’re inspired to make your own Calming Jar, why not try it out too.
[Photos: Jing Shan Primary School]
#ourschoolstories
Chan Chun Sing added 5 new photos.
12 hrs ·“When I am feeling sad or angry, looking at the glitter in the Calming Jar makes me feel better,” shared Reina Teo, a P2 student at Jing Shan Primary School.
These Calming Jars were prepared by the P6s to be given to their juniors. The students made them as part of the school’s Grow and Flourish Day at the end of Term 2, during which students learn how emotions are linked to their thoughts and behaviours through games and activities.
The P6s passionately explained to their juniors, “The jar is like your mind and the glitter in the jar represents your thoughts and feelings. You cannot see clearly if all your thoughts and feelings are getting in the way. If you are not feeling happy, give the jar a swirl and watch the glitter slowly settle to the bottom of the jar. As you watch, you will feel yourself calming down and your negative emotions going away. Try it!”
What a useful tool to help students learn to regulate emotions and grow their self-awareness! If you’re inspired to make your own Calming Jar, why not try it out too.
[Photos: Jing Shan Primary School]
#ourschoolstories
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - The Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity to reset the pace of life and rebalance work and family relationships, said Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing on Sunday (June 19).
He added that new work arrangements at home have given families the chance to spend more time with one another.
Mr Chan was speaking at the Dad's Day Out event held at Palawan Green in Sentosa, the highlight of a two-week Celebrating Fathers campaign to commemorate Father's Day.
Organised by Centre for Fathering, Mums for Life, Dads for Life, Families for Life and Mediacorp, Celebrating Fathers is into its seventh iteration and is themed "Fathers make a Difference" this year to acknowledge fathers and their efforts.
Mr Chan, the guest of honour at the event, noted that the past two years have been tough due to the pandemic and acknowledged that there may still be some uncertainties moving forward.
"Regardless, I think the last two years have also been a blessing to us in some other ways, whereby we are able to refocus and rethink our priorities," he added.
"So never let a crisis go to waste, and I think this is one of those opportunities where we can reset the pace of life and reset our own family relationships."
At the Dad's Day Out event on Sunday, which had a two-year break due to Covid-19, Mr Chan and participating families tied ribbons to a suspension bridge on Sentosa to pledge their commitment to their families.
More than 3,800 ribbons lined the bridge at the end of the event.
Families can also visit designated pit stops around Sentosa to complete tasks and explore various trails.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing (centre) taking a photo with a family at the Dad's Day Out event held at Palawan Green in Sentosa, on June 19, 2022. ST PHOTO: EUGENE GOH
At the event was Mr Mohammad Nazim Ismail, 50, who was celebrating Father's Day with his wife, 49, and their four children, aged between 12 and 23.
His eldest daughter, pre-school teacher Nur Diyana Mohammad Nazim, 23, said it was her family's first time at a Dad's Day Out event. The family's Father's Day celebrations over the past two years were muted, marked with a dinner and a movie.
Tearing up as she spoke to The Straits Times, Ms Diyana said: "My dad really works very hard for us. He's a Grab driver and I know that he skips lunch sometimes just so he can earn a little bit more money for this family. We're so grateful that we have such a great dad."
Mr Mohammad Nazim Ismail (back) and Ms Norhima Selamat (second from left) with their children. ST PHOTO: EUGENE GOH
Mr Nazim, a former paramedic who has been working as a Grab driver for two months, said: "As a father, that's what responsibility is all about. My children are gifts from God and I know I'm supposed to take care of them."
Mr Keave Chong, 41, a manager in the aviation industry, was also spending his morning at the event with his family - wife Ferlyn Chong, 40, and their two daughters, aged five and seven.
Mrs Chong, a housewife, said: "I'm really glad there are such events to celebrate Father's Day because we are very busy with the kids, so we may miss out on celebrating it. That's why we're really happy to commemorate the special day in this way."
Mr Keave Chong and Mrs Ferlyn Chong with their daughters. ST PHOTO: EUGENE GOH
Mr Bryan Tan, chief executive of Centre for Fathering, Mums for Life and Dads for Life, said the pandemic has led fathers to take on new responsibilities at home and become more involved with their children and family through caregiving and household responsibilities.
Mr Ishak Ismail, chairman of Families for Life Council, said: "Strong and stable families are the bedrock of our society. It is important for us to show appreciation to all fatherly figures who have taken up the mantle to support their families in unique ways."
Covid-19 pandemic helps reset pace of life, rebalance work and family ties: Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE - The Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity to reset the pace of life and rebalance work and family relationships, said Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing on Sunday (June 19).
He added that new work arrangements at home have given families the chance to spend more time with one another.
Mr Chan was speaking at the Dad's Day Out event held at Palawan Green in Sentosa, the highlight of a two-week Celebrating Fathers campaign to commemorate Father's Day.
Organised by Centre for Fathering, Mums for Life, Dads for Life, Families for Life and Mediacorp, Celebrating Fathers is into its seventh iteration and is themed "Fathers make a Difference" this year to acknowledge fathers and their efforts.
Mr Chan, the guest of honour at the event, noted that the past two years have been tough due to the pandemic and acknowledged that there may still be some uncertainties moving forward.
"Regardless, I think the last two years have also been a blessing to us in some other ways, whereby we are able to refocus and rethink our priorities," he added.
"So never let a crisis go to waste, and I think this is one of those opportunities where we can reset the pace of life and reset our own family relationships."
At the Dad's Day Out event on Sunday, which had a two-year break due to Covid-19, Mr Chan and participating families tied ribbons to a suspension bridge on Sentosa to pledge their commitment to their families.
More than 3,800 ribbons lined the bridge at the end of the event.
Families can also visit designated pit stops around Sentosa to complete tasks and explore various trails.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing (centre) taking a photo with a family at the Dad's Day Out event held at Palawan Green in Sentosa, on June 19, 2022. ST PHOTO: EUGENE GOH
At the event was Mr Mohammad Nazim Ismail, 50, who was celebrating Father's Day with his wife, 49, and their four children, aged between 12 and 23.
His eldest daughter, pre-school teacher Nur Diyana Mohammad Nazim, 23, said it was her family's first time at a Dad's Day Out event. The family's Father's Day celebrations over the past two years were muted, marked with a dinner and a movie.
Tearing up as she spoke to The Straits Times, Ms Diyana said: "My dad really works very hard for us. He's a Grab driver and I know that he skips lunch sometimes just so he can earn a little bit more money for this family. We're so grateful that we have such a great dad."
Mr Mohammad Nazim Ismail (back) and Ms Norhima Selamat (second from left) with their children. ST PHOTO: EUGENE GOH
Mr Nazim, a former paramedic who has been working as a Grab driver for two months, said: "As a father, that's what responsibility is all about. My children are gifts from God and I know I'm supposed to take care of them."
Mr Keave Chong, 41, a manager in the aviation industry, was also spending his morning at the event with his family - wife Ferlyn Chong, 40, and their two daughters, aged five and seven.
Mrs Chong, a housewife, said: "I'm really glad there are such events to celebrate Father's Day because we are very busy with the kids, so we may miss out on celebrating it. That's why we're really happy to commemorate the special day in this way."
Mr Keave Chong and Mrs Ferlyn Chong with their daughters. ST PHOTO: EUGENE GOH
Mr Bryan Tan, chief executive of Centre for Fathering, Mums for Life and Dads for Life, said the pandemic has led fathers to take on new responsibilities at home and become more involved with their children and family through caregiving and household responsibilities.
Mr Ishak Ismail, chairman of Families for Life Council, said: "Strong and stable families are the bedrock of our society. It is important for us to show appreciation to all fatherly figures who have taken up the mantle to support their families in unique ways."
Keechiu enjoys talent show.
Buona Vista’s Got Talent!
Last weekend, we held our talent show to celebrate our many diverse talents. Thank you to our organisers, volunteers, judges, crew and participants for putting together a wonderful programme for our residents.
But beyond the great performances, this event was also very significantly a celebration of our residents looking out for and taking care of one another - in this special place we call home in My Buona Vista.
Chan Chun Sing
8 hrs ·Buona Vista’s Got Talent!
Last weekend, we held our talent show to celebrate our many diverse talents. Thank you to our organisers, volunteers, judges, crew and participants for putting together a wonderful programme for our residents.
But beyond the great performances, this event was also very significantly a celebration of our residents looking out for and taking care of one another - in this special place we call home in My Buona Vista.
Keechiu returns to school.
The pitter patter of footsteps, the buzz in the school hall, the cheery ‘good mornings’ in our classrooms… The familiar sounds of school have returned
As we return to our routines after the end of the June holidays, schools are continuing to upkeep safe management measures such as daily general screening of students’ well-being, frequent handwashing and cleaning of high-touch surfaces, as well as mask wearing indoors to reduce the spread of #COVID19.
Social responsibility is key as we continue our transition towards living with COVID-19. With everyone playing our part and doing the right thing if we or our children feel unwell, our students can continue to enjoy different school experiences as much as possible.
Term 3 is an exciting one, with many activities planned. I hope that the June holidays were restful, and here’s wishing students and teachers a fulfilling term ahead!
[Video of Meridian Primary School – thank you for letting us join you in welcoming students back for Term 3!]
Chan Chun Sing
7 hrs ·The pitter patter of footsteps, the buzz in the school hall, the cheery ‘good mornings’ in our classrooms… The familiar sounds of school have returned
As we return to our routines after the end of the June holidays, schools are continuing to upkeep safe management measures such as daily general screening of students’ well-being, frequent handwashing and cleaning of high-touch surfaces, as well as mask wearing indoors to reduce the spread of #COVID19.
Social responsibility is key as we continue our transition towards living with COVID-19. With everyone playing our part and doing the right thing if we or our children feel unwell, our students can continue to enjoy different school experiences as much as possible.
Term 3 is an exciting one, with many activities planned. I hope that the June holidays were restful, and here’s wishing students and teachers a fulfilling term ahead!
[Video of Meridian Primary School – thank you for letting us join you in welcoming students back for Term 3!]
Keechiu enjoyed hearing from German Minister for Education, Ms Theresa Schopper and OECD’s Mr Andreas Schleicher on the future of work and learning at the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore’s International Technical and Professional Education and Training (TPET) Conference 2022.
The rapid development of technology all over the world has caused a shift in the skillsets desired by industries.
Enjoyed hearing from German Minister for Education, Ms Theresa Schopper and OECD’s Mr Andreas Schleicher on the future of work and learning at the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore’s International Technical and Professional Education and Training (TPET) Conference 2022.
In my speech, I shared that trainers are the key to helping our students and workforce pivot quickly and continuously, in order to stay industry-relevant.
To develop effective trainers, we need to equip them with:
The right skillset: Trainers must maintain close partnerships with industry to keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and tools.
The right toolset: Trainers must leverage technology as a tool to create more engaging, impactful and personalised education experiences that encourage students’ love for learning.
The right mindset: Trainers must have a mindset to learn continuously, and grow alongside their students and frontier industry.
I hope for more of our industry leaders to step up to form meaningful relationships with our Institutes of Higher Learning, to uplift both our learners and trainers.
Read my full speech here: https://go.gov.sg/tpet2022
#LifeLongLearning
Chan Chun Sing added 3 new photos.
3 hrs ·The rapid development of technology all over the world has caused a shift in the skillsets desired by industries.
Enjoyed hearing from German Minister for Education, Ms Theresa Schopper and OECD’s Mr Andreas Schleicher on the future of work and learning at the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore’s International Technical and Professional Education and Training (TPET) Conference 2022.
In my speech, I shared that trainers are the key to helping our students and workforce pivot quickly and continuously, in order to stay industry-relevant.
To develop effective trainers, we need to equip them with:
I hope for more of our industry leaders to step up to form meaningful relationships with our Institutes of Higher Learning, to uplift both our learners and trainers.
Read my full speech here: https://go.gov.sg/tpet2022
#LifeLongLearning
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Aspiring lifelong learners in the workforce will need effective trainers with the right skills, tools and mindsets, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.
Speaking to an audience of about 700 people at the opening of the sixth International Technical and Professional Education and Training Conference on Tuesday (June 28), Mr Chan talked about how trainers would be equipped for the future.
The conference is hosted by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) at Marina Bay Sands with both in-person and virtual participants and will run until Wednesday.
First, said the minister, trainers must have the right skills to meet the demands of a fast-evolving market
This means institutions must not only hire the right people, but support them in keeping up to date throughout their careers as educators.
He added that to this end, Singapore's polytechnics have partnerships with industry in place, and ITE has worked to involve the industry more in teaching and learning.
Mr Chan said: "We must have a system to ensure the currency of our trainers' skill sets for us to enable the currency of our students' skill sets. Everything starts with the currency of the trainers."
Second, trainers must be given the right tools to design engaging and personalised learning experiences for lifelong learners, Mr Chan said, adding that: "A one-size-fits-all model no longer works for us."
Technology is one such tool they can use to engage with and personalise learning for their students, he said.
Giving the examples of augmented and virtual reality technology, Mr Chan said these can be used to enhance traditional teaching methods by bringing learners into immersive, practical environments.
He added that tools to collect and analyse data can help educators respond to students' diverse needs, and technology also provides an opportunity to personalise learning.
While Singapore's institutions are exploring these technologies and encouraging educators to use them, technology is simply an enabler and what matters more is whether it is used efficiently and effectively, Mr Chan added.
He said: "Through professional development opportunities, teaching and learning guides, we can build our trainers' capacity to leverage these new technologies to redesign the classroom experience."
Third, educators must have the right mindset, Mr Chan said.
He added: "Our educators need to learn alongside our students and learn from the frontier industry and business practices constantly.
"They will need to go beyond their existing expertise and be willing to upgrade and retrain themselves to acquire the right skill sets."
He added that educators can be the most powerful testimony for lifelong learning if they can demonstrate this mindset to Singapore's students.
To get staff onboard with this mindset, Singapore needs to establish the right culture and attitude towards continuous learning, he said.
"We are developing an employment model where educators can enjoy the flexibility of spending time both in the workplace and in the classroom."
One way to do this is through staff exchanges, Mr Chan said, where academic staff take on industry attachments, and industry experts serve as adjunct lecturers in the institutes of higher learning.
To do all this, support from the industry will be crucial, he said.
He added: "This, in turn, will translate into more relevant curriculum, and better skilled learners entering the workforce.
"Hence, it is in the interest of our industry partners to work closely with our institutions, to equip our trainers so that they can in turn effectively train our learners."
Tuesday morning's programme also included speeches from the director of the directorate for education and skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Andreas Schleicher and the Minister for Education, Youth and Sports of German state Baden-Wurttemberg Theresa Schopper.
Ms Schopper spoke about her state's vocational education system and how it fits into its broader skills training framework.
Singapore's adult education system has come into the spotlight in recent years as the country's economy works to keep pace with rapid technological shifts hastened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
At The Straits Times Education Forum in February, Mr Chan said Singapore's education system must gear up to retrain about half a million adult learners each year.
Trainers need to be equipped with skills, tools to help lifelong learners in workforce: Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE - Aspiring lifelong learners in the workforce will need effective trainers with the right skills, tools and mindsets, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.
Speaking to an audience of about 700 people at the opening of the sixth International Technical and Professional Education and Training Conference on Tuesday (June 28), Mr Chan talked about how trainers would be equipped for the future.
The conference is hosted by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) at Marina Bay Sands with both in-person and virtual participants and will run until Wednesday.
First, said the minister, trainers must have the right skills to meet the demands of a fast-evolving market
This means institutions must not only hire the right people, but support them in keeping up to date throughout their careers as educators.
He added that to this end, Singapore's polytechnics have partnerships with industry in place, and ITE has worked to involve the industry more in teaching and learning.
Mr Chan said: "We must have a system to ensure the currency of our trainers' skill sets for us to enable the currency of our students' skill sets. Everything starts with the currency of the trainers."
Second, trainers must be given the right tools to design engaging and personalised learning experiences for lifelong learners, Mr Chan said, adding that: "A one-size-fits-all model no longer works for us."
Technology is one such tool they can use to engage with and personalise learning for their students, he said.
Giving the examples of augmented and virtual reality technology, Mr Chan said these can be used to enhance traditional teaching methods by bringing learners into immersive, practical environments.
He added that tools to collect and analyse data can help educators respond to students' diverse needs, and technology also provides an opportunity to personalise learning.
While Singapore's institutions are exploring these technologies and encouraging educators to use them, technology is simply an enabler and what matters more is whether it is used efficiently and effectively, Mr Chan added.
He said: "Through professional development opportunities, teaching and learning guides, we can build our trainers' capacity to leverage these new technologies to redesign the classroom experience."
Third, educators must have the right mindset, Mr Chan said.
He added: "Our educators need to learn alongside our students and learn from the frontier industry and business practices constantly.
"They will need to go beyond their existing expertise and be willing to upgrade and retrain themselves to acquire the right skill sets."
He added that educators can be the most powerful testimony for lifelong learning if they can demonstrate this mindset to Singapore's students.
To get staff onboard with this mindset, Singapore needs to establish the right culture and attitude towards continuous learning, he said.
"We are developing an employment model where educators can enjoy the flexibility of spending time both in the workplace and in the classroom."
One way to do this is through staff exchanges, Mr Chan said, where academic staff take on industry attachments, and industry experts serve as adjunct lecturers in the institutes of higher learning.
To do all this, support from the industry will be crucial, he said.
He added: "This, in turn, will translate into more relevant curriculum, and better skilled learners entering the workforce.
"Hence, it is in the interest of our industry partners to work closely with our institutions, to equip our trainers so that they can in turn effectively train our learners."
Tuesday morning's programme also included speeches from the director of the directorate for education and skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Andreas Schleicher and the Minister for Education, Youth and Sports of German state Baden-Wurttemberg Theresa Schopper.
Ms Schopper spoke about her state's vocational education system and how it fits into its broader skills training framework.
Singapore's adult education system has come into the spotlight in recent years as the country's economy works to keep pace with rapid technological shifts hastened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
At The Straits Times Education Forum in February, Mr Chan said Singapore's education system must gear up to retrain about half a million adult learners each year.
Keechiu visited Boon Lay Secondary School.
To Love and To Forgive
This is Boon Lay Secondary School’s school motto – a rather unique one. And it fits perfectly into their family-oriented concept of schooling.
Imelda and Eshal brought me around their school yesterday and showed me what makes their school, home. One of the students’ favourite places is the Chill Zone, a civil defence shelter that is designed to double up as a hangout space. It is open every day after school, and all students and teachers are welcome. Because of its underground location, there is no phone reception, so you really get to spend quality time with friends here!
The school is also organised by CCA families, in place of the more common form classes. In our chats, students shared how they passed on knowledge to their juniors, and how they were similarly taught by their seniors. The bonds are strong as they learn and grow with their CCA mates and teacher mentors throughout their secondary school journey.
Encouraging messages can be spotted around the school, and I had the chance to pen one on their Student Well-being Wall
Eshal shared that when she visited the school during Open House 3 years ago when she was choosing a secondary school, BLS captured her heart immediately. “Everyone was so friendly. The teachers, the seniors… It already felt like a family. I knew that BLS would be my first choice.” The sense of family here is strong indeed.
#ourschoolstories
Chan Chun Sing
13 hrs ·To Love and To Forgive
This is Boon Lay Secondary School’s school motto – a rather unique one. And it fits perfectly into their family-oriented concept of schooling.
Imelda and Eshal brought me around their school yesterday and showed me what makes their school, home. One of the students’ favourite places is the Chill Zone, a civil defence shelter that is designed to double up as a hangout space. It is open every day after school, and all students and teachers are welcome. Because of its underground location, there is no phone reception, so you really get to spend quality time with friends here!
The school is also organised by CCA families, in place of the more common form classes. In our chats, students shared how they passed on knowledge to their juniors, and how they were similarly taught by their seniors. The bonds are strong as they learn and grow with their CCA mates and teacher mentors throughout their secondary school journey.
Encouraging messages can be spotted around the school, and I had the chance to pen one on their Student Well-being Wall
Eshal shared that when she visited the school during Open House 3 years ago when she was choosing a secondary school, BLS captured her heart immediately. “Everyone was so friendly. The teachers, the seniors… It already felt like a family. I knew that BLS would be my first choice.” The sense of family here is strong indeed.
#ourschoolstories
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