//
archives

SAP

This tag is associated with 2 posts

SAP Schools: Employ Better Evidence Of Multicultural Integration

Posted by ⋅ ⋅ 1 Comment

Notwithstanding the broader historical discourse surrounding the Special Assistance Plan (SAP) and the implications of developing bilingual and elite Chinese students, better and more diverse evidence is needed to determine the extent to which SAP schools such as Hwa Chong Institution have been effective in giving “students the opportunity to mix with peers of different races and backgrounds through various activities” (ST, Mar. 22) and in promoting multicultural integration. Put otherwise, instead of pointing to a joint overseas community involvement programme trip with ITE College West, for instance, the school ought to be interested in: The first-hand perceptions and learning experience of the Hwa Chong and ITE students, whether they continue to make friends and maintain friendships with others of different cultures, as well as the overall suite of programmes and the number of students who participate and benefit. Continue reading →

12 Years A SAP Student, And Nothing (Chinese) To Show For It

Posted by ⋅ ⋅ 1 Comment

What, in other words, is the value of an SAP education today? And how do the experiences vary? Even before a broader discourse on changes to SAP schools – whether they should be abolished, or they should cater to mother tongues of Bahasa Melayu and Tamil – do we know enough about the effectiveness of an SAP education, especially from the perspective of students? For the overwhelming assumption seems to be that an SAP education, with the focus on bilingualism and cultural immersion, necessarily confers lifelong benefits. Continue reading →