Pandemics are not exactly a new occurrence, and history has made it clear that the spread of disease can kick off events that will inevitably change the way people live. This is one of the lessons that the education sector can learn from the unprecedented spread of COVID-19. A little more than a year after many countries started implementing strict lockdown periods and travel restrictions, many academic institutions remain unsure of how to continue their operations given the seemingly lasting threat of the disease and its numerous strains. International schools are hit particularly hard by the pandemic, since these academic communities are designed to cater to expatriate families. 

Regardless, there is no shortage of international schools in Singapore that have stepped up to the challenge of providing their students with high-quality education despite the current circumstances. Many were able to prepare well-structured online learning environments for remote lessons. Some international academic institutions have also started offering facilities akin to boarding schools in Singapore, providing their students with a safe, albeit temporary, residential space within the school grounds. Meanwhile, international schools all over the country continue to observe the safety guidelines set by the Singapore government to curb the spread of the disease.  [Read more…]

Teachers have always been the touchpoint for children in tough times. Aside from their parents, teachers and other school-adjacent authority figures are the closest adults that kids interact with daily. So, the example that educators set can have a profound impact on the types of people our education system yields.

For the sake of the children, we need to be resilient. We need to go beyond putting on a brave face and exemplify the type of character we want to nurture in our kids. Hybrid learning, which combines traditional schooling with digital education, was likely the direction education was heading anyway but it is most certainly the best compromise we can get during the coronavirus pandemic (for now). [Read more…]

There are so many benefits to reading. From the more practical benefits such as comprehension, concentration, and wider vocabulary to the more nuanced benefits of empathy, creativity, and understanding, people of all ages can improve themselves by reading often.

When it comes to building good habits around reading, there’s no better time to start than early childhood. As soon as children are willing to sit still long enough for a story, bust out the books. Make it a part of your routine, and make it fun! Soon, they will be asking if it’s time to read yet.  [Read more…]

It’s been a tough year for teachers and students alike. The coronavirus pandemic has created a different reality — and now, it’s time for kids everywhere to head back to school. With a few different strategies, you can support your children’s schools. There’s never been a better opportunity to give back to those who need a little help.

Here are a few ways to help teachers and students thrive.  [Read more…]