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Full home-based learning present unique set of challenges, especially for teachers who are themselves parents

May 8, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

08 May 2020

When full home-based learning (HBL) started last month, there was understandably a considerable amount of apprehension on the part of parents and students. Many were worried if they would be able to familiarize themselves with new routines in time.

In particular, teachers who are parents themselves had to juggle taking care of their own children, as well as teaching and performing household chores at the same time.

According to a poll conducted by the Ministry of Education, eight in 10 teachers felt confident in implementing full HBL. Seven in 10 reported they could support students’ social and emotional well-being during this period.

Acknowledging the adjustments teachers have had to make, an MOE spokesman said that although schools have worked to keep the HBL learning and assessment load manageable, it has been a very challenging experience for teachers, especially those who have had to deliver HBL and look after their own families during this period.

MOE has encouraged teachers to reserve enough time for themselves and their families by informing students of specific periods when they can contact them with queries.

Singapore Management University has set up student relief fund worth $2.5 million

May 6, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

06 May 2020

Singapore Management University has set up a relief fund worth $2.5 million to assist students facing financial difficulties.

Called the SMU Resilience Fund, it comprises of contributions from SMU’s own resources as well as from the broader SMU community, including donors.

SMU undergraduates whose gross monthly household per capita income does not exceed $500 and whose family members’ livelihoods have been adversely affected can obtain help from the Undergraduate Supplementary Assistance Plan. The scheme will help up to 1,000 undergraduates with a one-off $500 grant for each student.

SMU had in April set up a Global Exposure Contingency Fund to defray the financial costs of students affected by the cancellation of overseas programmes. The fund covers irrecoverable expenses associated with air tickets, accommodation, local transport, mobile or data plans and visa or entry fees.

Existing emergency grants are also available for undergraduates in need of urgent financial aid. These grants range from $500 to $5,000 each, and are supported by donors.

Steps taken by Nanyang Technological University to assist needy students

May 4, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

04 May 2020

The Nanyang Technological University has released details of its new relief package aimed at assisting students currently experiencing financial difficulties.

Through the newly launched S$2 million OneNTU Fund, the university will support students from Singapore who need immediate financial help. Eligible students may get an interest-free advance of up to S$1,500, which they will reimburse to the University within two years after graduation.

In addition, the University will establish an NTU Priorities Fund, which will be driven by private philanthropy. Recipients of support from the Fund will pledge to “pay it forward” within two years after graduation and return the interest-free cash assistance to the University.

NTU has also revealed that its 5,700 final-year undergraduates will receive an extra $1,600 in credits to offset fees for courses they can take as alumni, on top of the four CET ones they can take for free.

The credits are valid until June next year, and are on top of the existing $1,600 in credits available to all alumni.

Graduates can also use the academic credits gained from selected CET courses and “stack” them towards a MiniMaster’s Certificate. Course credits earned may count towards a full master’s degree, which can be pursued later. The National Institute of Education at NTU offers 12 such programmes in areas such as drama education and e-learning instructional design, and more will be added in the coming months.

Fresh graduates from autonomous universities can now take four continuing education and training modules for free

May 4, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

04 May 2020

Fresh graduates from Singapore’s six autonomous universities can now take four continuing education and training (CET) modules offered by their alma maters for free.

The Ministry of Education and the six institutions said the move aims to help graduates gain access to more job opportunities.

Graduates will be able to choose from about 1,700 CET modules in areas such as data analytics, finance, professional communications and systems thinking.

SkillsFuture Singapore will provide a subsidy of 70 per cent of the course fees for these graduates.

Meanwhile, the SGUnited Traineeships Programme, which aims to provide up to 8,000 paid traineeship places, has also been launched. Thus far, more than 280 companies have come forward to offer more than 4,000 places in the programme.

Schools to start bringing students in small groups for face-to-face lessons in later part of May

May 3, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

03 May 2020

Starting from May 19, schools will start bringing students in small groups for face-to-face lessons.

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs a multi-ministry task force, said that schools would focus on the graduating cohorts taking national examinations, including Secondary 4 and 5, Junior College 2 and Pre-University 3 cohorts.

Institutions of higher learning, particularly the Institute of Technical Education, will also allow more students to return to campus for critical consultations and projects.

Priority will be given to students who need school facilities for coursework and practical sessions, as well as those who need additional support and mediation during school vacation periods.

The task force will periodically review the rate at which schools can open up and how many more students can return.

Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said that throughout the four-week mid-year school holidays, which start from May 5, schools will also continue to engage students and provide additional care for those whose parents work in essential services.

Home based learning in Singapore’s schools

May 1, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

01 May 2020

Schools all over Singapore have put their students on full home-based learning (HBL) since April. The Ministry of Education has also cancelled all mid-year examinations, but is still proceeding with national ones such as the GCE N, O and A levels.

Although the removal of mid year exams have taken the load off some students, it has also removed a key marker that can be used to gauge academic progress.

Schools are given the freedom to conduct HBL as they deem fit. Some have more online learning that resembles actual school lessons, and others have more offline work.

Home-based learning also presents a host of challenges, such as maintaining good learning schedules, sharing spaces and being mindful of boundaries.

In a Facebook post, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said: “HBL is a fallback when schools are suspended. It cannot be a prolonged substitute for school.”

On its part, MOE has brought forward the June school holidays to May 5 and rescheduled the GCE-level mother tongue examinations from early June to later in the month. It will also remove common last topics from the national examinations to further allay students concerns and anxiety about catching up with the curriculum.

Polytechnic students devise creative ways of celebrating their graduation online

April 29, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

29 April 2020

Polytechnic graduates this year will have their diplomas, certificates and transcripts delivered by mail rather than during a ceremony.

Graduating students have come up with creative ways of celebrating the occasion, from building their own graduation stage on Minecraft to holding virtual ceremonies with their friends.

Some polytechnics, such as Temasek Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, have released graduation-themed “stickers” for students to use on social media platforms like Instagram.

Nanyang Polytechnic is distributing a virtual gift pack with digital backdrops, stickers and filters for its graduates. NP will also hold a crowd-sourcing photo contest online to encourage them to share memorable moments from school. A video tribute from NP lecturers will be shown on May 7 to the graduates.

Social media is also familiar ground for most graduates, who often use it to capture their own memories of polytechnic life. “This virtual graduation will be one of the very special memories they will take with them,” said NP director of academic affairs Nancy Tan

National University of Singapore opens up 200 full-time jobs and 800 paid traineeship positions

April 28, 2020 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

28 April 2020

The National University of Singapore will open up 200 full-time jobs and 800 paid traineeship positions across its faculties and research institutes. They will encompass positions in NUS’ central administration, 17 faculties and schools, 29 research institutes and centres, and the National University Health System.

Students who had received financial aid during their studies will be given priority for the traineeship positions. They may receive monthly allowances of up to $2,500.

Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD graduates can apply for the traineeships in four different tracks: executive and professional, education, research, and entrepreneurship. Those who perform well in the traineeships may be offered full-time positions.

Separately, NUS has also announced another scheme where graduates keen on entrepreneurship can take up traineeship positions at companies started by NUS students and faculty. A total of 130 traineeships will be offered by 17 NUS start-ups.

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