SINGAPORE: 17 primary and nine secondary schools have been recognised for their excellent performance in niche areas, outside academic achievements.

The list of schools was announced by Senior Minister of State for Education and National Development Grace Fu on Wednesday when she visited Chua Chu Kang Primary School – one of the primary schools to be awarded the Programme for School-Based Excellence this year.

Robotics is a big part of school life at Chua Chu Kang Primary, which has even represented Singapore in the World Robotics Olympiad for the past few years.

One of the students, Wei Ze, said: "I like constructing a robot because I can come up with all sorts of ideas!"

"Whenever I design the robot, I feel very excited because I wonder whether my friends will approve of it," said another student, Javier.

"When I finish making the robot and it moves on its own, I feel a great sense of accomplishment," said Willie.

More of their fellow students will now get to enjoy robotics as the school will receive S$150,000 from the Ministry of Education (MOE) over the next three years.

Chua Chu Kang Primary plans to infuse robotics into its curriculum for students of all levels.

Francis Foo, Principal, Chua Chu Kang Primary School, said: "Design is a soft skill to be used in problem solving. We want to introduce robotics in lower primary, so art will be a very good mechanism to do that."

Creating such opportunities is what the MOE is looking for.

"We are encouraged by the fact that many schools want to be on the programme and we are also encouraged by the performance of the schools that are already on the programme. You can see that the students on the programme continue to make us very proud, both nationally and internationally," said Ms Fu.

Springfield Secondary has been awarded the Niche Programme status for rock climbing. The activity is compulsory for all students during Physical Education lessons.

Edward Nathan, Vice Principal, Springfield Secondary School, said: "It allows those who have certain fears to overcome these fears and develop a love for the outdoors."

37 primary schools and 20 secondary schools that were awarded the School-Based Excellence and Niche Programme status between 2005 and 2007 have had their status renewed this year.

Ms Fu said: "We are developing not just the top schools, we are also paying a lot of attention to the neighbourhood schools. You can see that by the number of schools we have in the programme.

"At the same time, we are looking at multi-faceted areas, so we are quite happy for each school to come up with their own initiatives, ranging from aesthetics to sports."


- CNA/so