north view primary school

As part of our ongoing national education efforts and as a lead up to our National Day celebration this year, arrangements were made for all our Primary 5 and 6 pupils to read “Living the Singapore Dream” by Mr Tan Yong Soon, Permanent Secretary/Environment & Water Resources, published in April this year. The book comprises 23 accounts of individual’s rich experiences on the road to success, with their wisdom and values shared, as an inspiration for our next generation to pursue their own dreams starting from young.

To facilitate discussion and reflections, chapters of the book were allocated to the respective classes. Over two months, teachers used materials to elicit pupils’ responses and sharing of learning. There was rich discussion and pupils have been inspired by the contributions made by these Singaporeans to our society in their various fields of work. Pupils followed up their discussions with research on the characters they studied and wrote up their reflections based on their learning.

On 31 Jul, Mr Tan, together with Paul Tern, Head Prefect, RI and Jonathan Lim, Deputy Head Prefect RI, was invited to our school to dialogue with some 60 selected P5 and P6 pupils. This opportunity enabled our pupils to engage the author, as well as two other students who have read the book, in discussing key issues and lessons learnt from the book.

Our pupils’ and teachers alike were pleasantly surprised by Mr Tan’s open sharing and willingness to give his insights to wide ranging topics of discussion. Enthusiastic and curious pupils’ were more than eager to get up and close with Mr Tan. When one of the pupils quizzed him on “Have you ever felt like giving up in life?” He thought for a while and answered light-heartedly “If I am here as a PS, I could not have given up. But, I have faced failures and there are others I know of had made extreme decisions”. Another wanted to know if he still had other dreams and which was his proudest moments. Mr Tan remarked in jest that he did not expect 11 or 12 year olds to ask such “thought-provoking and in-depth” questions. In addition, the RI prefects also answered questions of the pupils with regards to exams stress, time management and how to prepare for exams the smart way.

Mr Tan even autographed personal copies of “Living the Singapore Dream” for all pupils and staff. All present, including two representatives from SNP Corporation and teachers from our cluster schools, had a most enriching experience. As a token of our appreciation, a compilation of pupils’ reflections on the book was presented to Mr Tan. Before taking his leave, Mdm Nurul, one of our P6 teachers, asked why fewer women were covered in his book. Mr Tan paused for a while, and said, “Women have made great achievements to society and are equally capable; the Director General of Education is a woman”.

Submitted by Mrs Malathi Bala, Subject Head/National Education & Social Studies, Ms Michelle Koh, Pastoral Care & Career Guidance Coordinator