Dr.Avnish Jolly,26 May:The Chandigarh’s group of students, teachers & NGO representatives who visited Singapore today met Mr. SK Setia, DPI (Schools) and shared their fond memories of the trip.
Education Department, Chandigarh Administration, Yishun Secondary School, Singapore & Namwon Middle School, Jeju, Korea jointly organised this seven day educational & Cultural Exchange Programme christen as ‘INTERNATIONALIZATION PROGRAMME-2008’.
Sharing his vision Mr. SK Setia informed that the diversity in cultural and racial characteristics across Singapore presents numerous challenges and opportunities for tomorrow’s citizens and leaders. Recognizing this, Education Department, Chandigarh Administration took a lead to promote such exchange programmes on a regular basis. And in an era of globalization, participation in such exchange program is priceless and enriches students and teachers from Chandigarh both personally and professionally.
Quoting Mr. Goh Choon Leng, Principal, Yishun Secondary School, Singapore Mr. Rajpal Singh, Public Relations officer of the Department said that "Singapore is small in size but big on adventure. And multi-cultural friendly people of Singapore are good hosts and will like to see such mutual learning experiences grow more in future. And now in August, 2008, students and teachers from Yishun Secondary School, Singapore will also be coming to Chandigarh".
Mr. Parmod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta who was also part of this trip remarked that we have to learn a lot from education system of Singapore where the national emphasis is on quality and not quantity. Singapore’s new paradigm of education focuses on academic excellence, staff excellence, active partnerships, TLLM (Teach Less & Learn More Programme), promotes diversity & greater flexibility, physical & character development and community outreach which is exemplary.
Richa Chawla a teacher in Govt. High School, Mauli Colony, was very much impressed by the network of Libraries in Singapore. She said that with 5-star facilities, community outreach programmes, innovative annual campaigns like ‘Read Singapore’ and catching even new born babies with story telling sessions even in maternity wards is beyond even one’s imagination.
The Chandigarhian’s also went for sight-seeing with their local buddies in Singapore. For Nipunya a student of Sacred Heart the drama and mystery of the tropical jungle come alive after dusk at the world’s premier Night Safari in Singapore. Jasmine and Karan Bhai of KB DAV-7 were mesmerized by the ‘Song of the Sea’ at Santosa islands. For Pransh of Bhawan Vidyalaya and Ritika of KB DAV-7 the experience of largest observation wheel, Sinapore Flyer, standing at a stunning 165m from the ground, which offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the Marina Bay, island city and beyond is really unforgettable.
For senior teachers like Mrs. Usha Rani, of GMSSS, Sector 20, Mrs. Sudha Bhardwaj of GMHS, Sector 42, Mrs. Rajni Taneja of GMS, Sector 32, Mrs. Gopa Trehan from Manav Mangal School and Mrs. Rekha Kiran from, GMSSS, Sector 23 A, Zulfiqar Khan of Theatre Age, the most attractive part of the trip remained lots of shopping at China Town, Little India and Orchard Road in Singapore.
Eshita Malik a student of Sacred Heart will remember the trip for her visit to Ishun Secondary School, where she found to her utter surprise that the best part of education is that Schools are really a place for leisure and learning. Most importantly stress free. Teachers and students are more like friends and thus have good communication. The School infrastructure is beyond our imagination