New programme launched to teach students about Singapore’s heritage

SINGAPORE — A new programme was launched on Tuesday (March 1) to teach primary school students about the nation’s heritage.

Organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB), the Heritage Explorers Programme has already been adopted by 20 primary schools. It involves more than 10,000 students, and complements their Social Studies and National Education curriculum.

Under the programme, students will role-play five heritage professions — historian, curator, exhibit designer, educator and heritage ambassador — and complete tasks to earn a badge for each profession.

The tasks are designed to be self-directed, and include asking students to visit museums with their family or school to write about two of their favourite exhibits, or to record videos of themselves teaching their families about the exhibits.

The programme was piloted in two primary schools in July last year, Punggol Green Primary and West View Primary. A student said the tasks were difficult, but also fun and educational.

“(The programme) also gave me more chances to interact with my family, friends and even my neighbours,” said Charissa Khor, 8, a primary three student of West View Primary. “After taking on the tasks, I have discovered amazing things about our heritage.”

Students in the first run, which started in February, will have until June to complete the tasks and earn the five badges.

The NHB also opened applications for the second batch of schools on Tuesday. The second run will run from May to September. Applications will close on Apr 22. CHANNEL NEWSASIA