An initiative to spur student exchange programmes

1.                  To support our schools’ efforts to organise twinning programmes with overseas schools, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has established the School Twinning Fund (STF).  MOE will allocate $4.5 million annually to fund twinning programmes initiated by schools.

2.                  MOE supports the efforts of schools in establishing twinning programmes with schools overseas.  Twinning programmes expose our students to different cultures and environments.  Students benefit by gaining a better understanding of the regional and global environment. Students also develop social and cultural skills in the process.

3.                  MOE wants to encourage every school to have at least one twinning programme.  Our goal is for all schools to provide at least 10% of their students with the opportunity to participate in a twinning programme during their years in the school. This will eventually mean that 9,000 students will be involved in twinning programmes per year.

4.                  In a twinning programme a Singapore school is paired with a foreign school.  The programme involves the mutual exchange of visits by students, teachers and school leaders for about two weeks or more. During twinning programmes students will attend classes, participate in school activities and even participate in a short home-stay component. Schools in Singapore will also host students from other countries.

5.                  At present, schools tap on the School Operating Fund provided by MOE and funds raised through other sources such as the School Advisory Committee to finance their twinning programmes. Schools are encouraged to continue using these funds on top of the STF.

6.                  Schools can apply to MOE to receive the STF. In awarding the STF, MOE will review the merits of each application, such as the availability of opportunities for both our students and foreign students to develop a good understanding of each other’s country and culture. For approved applications, the amount disbursed to each school will depend on factors such as the number of students and teachers involved and the duration of the visit.

7.                  To date, MOE has approved applications from 31 schools. Of these, 13 schools have utilised the STF to engage in twinning programmes. Priority will be placed on establishing tie-ups with schools in ASEAN countries, China and India. However schools can choose to twin with schools in any country that they find suitable.    

______________________________________________________________

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

13 Oct 2005