Programme for Active Learning (PAL)

Background Information

PAL was introduced to schools in the Primary 1 and 2 curriculum after a review by the Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) Committee in 2009 to address the need for greater emphasis on non-academic programmes.

PAL was conceptualised to achieve the following objectives:

• Provide students with broad exposure and experiences through fun and varied activities in two broad areas - Sports & Games and Outdoor Education and Performing Arts (Music and Dance) and Visual Arts.

• Facilitate holistic development of students in the 5 domains, that is, moral, cognitive, physical, social and aesthetics

• Provide varied avenues for students to develop social and emotional competencies

The two broad areas of Sports & Games and Outdoor Education, and Performing Arts and Visual Arts are selected as they provide:

• Platforms for experiential learning: experimentation, exploration and achieving success; and

• Opportunities for learning experiences to acquire a range of skills as well as interaction with their peers, thereby developing confidence (3Cs – Confidence, Curiosity, Cooperation Skills)

Collectively, PAL modules will enhance the total experience of students in primary schools in the moral, physical, aesthetics, social and emotional domains of learning for a holistic education.

Uniquely Xinghua PAL

In Xinghua Primary School, PAL is designed under the theme of The World and its Cultural Diversity. The rationale is to create an awareness among our students the different cultures in the world by exposing them to the different art forms, cuisines, dance, sports, songs, musical instruments, animals, sports, climate and terrains while cultivating the 21st Century Competencies (eg. Confidence, Curiosity, Cooperation) and developing the Social-Emotional Competencies.

PAL Schedule @ Xinghua

Sports and Games
students experience a wide range of sports and games from various countries such as Tennis (France), Sepak Takraw (Malaysia), Rugby (England) and Basketball (USA). Through sports and games, students build up on their competencies in teamwork, communication and interpersonal relationship.

Visual Arts
Students are exposed to two different art forms of creating homes and community. Through the use of various shapes and colours, students come together to build a communal living space. Students also experience problem-solving, decision-making and group presentation.

Performing Arts (Music)
Students are introduced to different genres of music like folk, nursery rhyme and classical that span from Africa to Australia to Germany. With the music around the world, students learn to appreciate the diversity of the country's culture and its music. Through the different activities and playing of instruments, students learn to work together to make music and build up their self-management and relationship management skills.

Outdoor Education
Students learn about the different flora and fauna found in other countries and the different climates experienced by people of different nations. As students learn to use their senses to connect with their environment, they also participate in interesting outdoor activities such as “rowing” on scooters, flying a kite and pitching a tent.

Performing Arts (Dance)
Students have an opportunity to learn folk dances from around the world. Japanese, Korean, Indian, Bangra, Malay and Chinese dance were just some of the many that they learnt and performed in class. The cultural exposure to these dances leads students to learn about diversity and respecting different cultures.