Learning Journeys was launched by then Minister for Education Teo Chee Hean on 28 February 1998.[1] Learning Journeys refers to the experiential and multi-disciplinary learning trips that students make to key national institutions or heritage sites.[2]
The Learning Journeys initiative, which is a part of National Education, aims to help pupils understand and appreciate the role that these institutions play in the development and success of Singapore, and the challenges and constraints faced by Singapore.[3]
While Learning Journeys is a part of National Education, it may also be used to support and complement the curriculum for subjects such as Social Studies, History and Geography.[4]
Learning trips are required to meet two out of the four criteria outlined in the Learning Journeys framework. The four criteria are:[5]
1. Instilling pride in Singapore’s achievements
2. Understanding Singapore: Its constraints and challenges
3. Building confidence in our future
4. Singapore is our home
Schools may organise Learning Journeys by partnering with participating national institutions, ministries, statutory boards and other government organisations.[6] Schools may also develop their own programmes or collaborate with government agencies or commercial operators to conceptualise and conduct these trips. The Curriculum Planning and Development Division, MOE, has also created national heritage tour packages to historically significant places such as Kampong Glam, Little India, Chinatown, Singapore River and World War II sites, which schools can use.[7]
References
1. Ministry of Education, Singapore. (2008, January 2). Speech by RADM (NS) Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Education, at the launch of “Learning Journeys” at St. Andrew’s Junior College on 28 February 1998 at 0900 hours. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from MOE website: http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/1998/280298a.htm
2. National Education Branch. Ministry of Education. (2003). National Education in schools. In S. K. S. Tan & C. B. Goh (Eds.), Securing our future: Sourcebook for infusing national education into the primary school curriculum (p. 25). Singapore: Prentice Hall. Call no.: RSING 372.95957 SEC.
3. Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2 Jan 2008.
4. Ministry of Education, Singapore, 2 Jan 2008.
5. Ministry of Education. (2014). What is Learning Journeys? Retrieved April 16, 2014, from MOE National Education website: http://www.ne.edu.sg/ljs/about_lj.htm
6. Ministry of Education, Singapore. (2004). Press release: Launch of Learning Journeys. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from MOE website: http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/1998/980224.htm
7. Ministry of Education, 2014.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.