A Closer Look at New Learning Spaces in Primary Schools
18 Mar 2009
A quick glance at school buildings in Singapore might leave the impression that not much has changed in the last decade or so – but zoom in close on some primary schools and you might see a landscape that’s surprisingly different from what most of us think a school looks like. Different types of classrooms and spaces are popping up, and learning doesn’t have to take place only in a typical classroom set-up.
Looking at the design of primary school facilities was one of the priorities raised by the Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) Committee, which made its preliminary recommendations to MOE in January 2009. The idea is that primary schools ought to have spaces that facilitate engaged learning, both academic and non-academic. For example, they could have:
- Redesigned classrooms that encourage greater interaction and self-discovery;
- Outdoor experiential learning facilities for hands-on learning;
- Special rooms and facilities to support the new Programme for Active Learning, which would provide all pupils with the opportunity to participate in sports and outdoor education, and performing art and music.
Take a closer look at some primary schools that are already leading the way in creating these new learning spaces. Based on these schools’ experiences, MOE is studying the possibility of providing some of these facilities to all our primary schools. Someday soon, all primary schools might look like this!