The Primary Four pupils of Punggol Primary School recently realised there was more to learn about Singapore’s three major ethnic groups.
On 16 March, about 250 Primary Four pupils of Punggol Primary School (PPS) spent three enlightening hours learning and experiencing the rich culture of the three major ethnic groups in Singapore. ‘The Cultural Exposure’ was a thematic approach aimed at providing the pupils with experiential learning to create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the different cultural practices.
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| Look! I can write Chinese characters neatly too! |
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| Pupils trying their hand at making ‘muruku’, a popular Indian flour cracker snack. |
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First Time Challenges
This was a first attempt by the Mother Tongue Department and there were challenges - due to mass participation - that had to be considered. The first challenge was conducting the event once in the morning for half the cohort and again in the afternoon for the remaining half. Dividing the pupils into seven groups of 20 per session was another. However, adequate measures were taken to address these challenges and pupils could embark on a learning journey through eight informative and interactive stations. They immersed themselves in an enriching inter-cultural experience which was filled with fun to boot!
At the Core
Though the main focus of the event was to create cultural awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity in the pupils, it was very inspiring and heartening to note that these nine-year-olds of Punggol Primary School unwittingly exercised and
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| Principal, Ms Chua and pupils , listening attentively on how to make Bunga Mannga. |
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exhibited the school’s core values of Self-discipline, Teamwork, Affection and Responsibility as they went from one station to another.
Student volunteers were also seen exhibiting leadership qualities as they assisted teachers in explaining the rationale behind a cultural practice. Enthusiastic parent volunteers shared their experiences with the pupils as well. In fact, they too remarked on what they have learnt about the cultural practices of other racial groups through ‘The Cultural Exposure’.
Tamil Language pupil Naresh admitted that he has “gained a better understanding of the Malay, Chinese and Tamil culture through this experience” while Mohammed, a Malay Language pupil exclaimed, “The explanations given at all the different stations and the hands-activities planned for us made the whole experience interesting and fun!”
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| A small amount of Chinese Tea goes a long way to quench a thirst. |
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Other teachers even volunteered for future events like this. English Language teacher Wendy Yeo was impressed by the work the other teachers had put in. “The camp was indeed a very interesting and successful one. Don't forget to approach me next time if you need help in those interesting stations!” she said.
PPS Principal Ms Chua SL thanked the teachers for the time and effort they had put in, commenting, “I enjoyed myself too! It was a joy to see the children laughing and learning at the same time; it was a great testimony of what engaged learning is!”
When school reopened on 20 March, there was a mini exhibition of the informative booths used during ‘The Cultural Exposure’ for the benefit of students in the other levels. The Mother Tongue teachers had indeed gone the extra mile to engage the pupils’ minds and touch their hearts. The event turned out to be an immense success among the pupils, teachers and parent volunteers. |
