More primary schools will introduce additional breaks between lessons this year

SINGAPORE — More primary schools will introduce an additional break in between lessons when the new school year begins on Monday (Jan 4).

According to schools that Channel NewsAsia spoke with, the move is part of efforts to improve students’ welfare. For instance, St Andrew’s Junior School will change its school hours this year. Students will start school 10 minutes later at 7.30am, and end school at 1.45pm instead of 1.30pm.

Principal of St Andrew’s Junior, Mrs Wong Bin Eng, said she hopes the arrangement will enable students to be better prepared for the day of learning. The Education Ministry has said all schools have the flexibility to decide on their own start times.

Students will also be given a “brain break”, on top of a 25-minute recess. The 10-minute break will take place from 12.05 to 12.15pm each day.

Said Mrs Wong: “The students are now coming to school later, and that would mean that they will go home later. We are looking into the well-being of the students and we want to make sure that they don’t become too hungry when they reach home a bit later.”

A 10-minute break will help the boys to be more focused, more attentive and more engaged, as well as a time for them to socialise and talk to their friends. During the break, the teacher who has taught the lesson before that, will remain in the classroom the next 10 minutes to make sure that safety of the children are not compromised.

The additional breaks are also being introduced in some schools which are switching to a single-session model, such as Shuqun Primary School. It is hoped that the move will also cater to those who come to school without breakfast.

Meanwhile, the brand new Punggol Cove Primary School also has similar plans. The school is set to welcome its first batch of 132 students, and parents were informed about the extra 10-minute break for students during orientation this week.

Principal of Punggol Cove Primary, Mr Dennis Yap, said: “They are Primary One students who are placed in a new environment. During breaks, we will teach the children how to stretch or they can have a snack if they’re feeling hungry. It helps with their concentration in class.”

To help students adapt better to the new school, the first week of school will see Punggol Cove students being taken on a tour of the school’s premises. There will be talks on road safety and safety while at play.

Students will also be able to “create” their own school library, by choosing the books they want. The new school will have five classes, with three to four teachers attached to each class. CHANNEL NEWSASIA