Ubin School brings lessons on Singapore's land-use needs, village life and environment to life
(From third from left) Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan, Education Minister Desmond Lee, NParks chief executive Hwang Yu-Ning and Pasir Ris-Changi GRC MP Valerie Lee with students from Commonwealth Secondary School. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Ubin School brings lessons on Singapore's land-use needs, village life and environment to life
SINGAPORE – When biology teacher Jacob Tan goes with his students to Pulau Ubin's Chek Jawa Wetlands, they take in the sights and sounds – sand bubbler crabs, staw-headed bulbuls and oriental pied hornbills.
But they also cast their gaze afar, at Pulau Tekong, where land reclamation is ongoing.
Pulau Ubin could have met a similar fate. Plans to reclaim its eastern shore were deferred in the early 2000s after environmental groups and nature experts flagged the area's rich biodiversity.
Mr Tan's students from Commonwealth Secondary School visited the island under the Ubin School initiative, launched in 2024 to provide experiential learning and environmental education there.
It was one of the initiatives highlighted by Education Minister Desmond Lee at the annual Ubin Day celebrations on June 28, along with infrastructure improvements, a new workgroup to restore five vacant kampung houses, and updates on a species recovery effort.
A workgroup under the Friends of Ubin Network (Fun) – a group of villagers, academics and nature and heritage enthusiasts established in 2014 – will be set up to guide the planned restoration of five vacant kampung houses, said Mr Lee.
The workgroup will comprise Fun and kampung community members, as well as academics from fields such as built heritage and culture.
It was announced a year ago that the five houses would be repurposed for community and commercial use.
Mr Lee, who has been chairman of Fun since 2014, also said on June 28 that Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan will take over the role.
Jacob Tan, a biology teacher at Commonwealth Secondary School, utilises field trips to Pulau Ubin to teach students about Singapore's competing land use needs.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Mr Lee previously helmed the National Development ministry before he took over the Education portfolio in May.
He said that several infrastructural projects on Pulau Ubin have been completed in the past year, such as upgrades to the earth tracks leading to Puaka Hill and to Chek Jawa Wetlands from Jalan Durian, and improvements to roads and bridges.
To address flood concerns, a new drain has been built in the main village, while an existing stage beside the village's wayang stage has been widened.
These changes have significantly reduced water entering villagers' homes at high tide, said Mr Lee.
The widened drain near the main village's Wayang Stage on Pulau Ubin.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Seasonal high tides and monsoon surges have caused flooding on the island, sending seawater flowing out of drains and spilling over banks in five low-lying areas of the island a few times a year.
Mr Lim Chye Hee, 69, who runs a bicycle rental shop in the main village, said he hopes further drainage improvements will be made, as the area still becomes easily flooded especially during heavy storms.
'There are only two outlets and the water drain quickly enough,' he told The Straits Times, referring to the widened drain near the stage.
Giving an update on a species recovery effort, Mr Lee said the first batch of cinnamon bush frog tadpole s introduced at two sites in Pulau Ubin in June 2024 has matured into adults and adapted well – a positive step for the vulnerable native species.
'These early observations are encouraging and represent hope for the species' conservation beyond mainland Singapore,' he said.
(From left) Pasir Ris-Changi GRC MP Valerie Lee, Education Minister Desmond Lee and Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan speaking with Madam Yeo Hui Bake and Mr Lim Chye Hee, who run a bicycle rental shop in Pulau Ubin.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
The National Parks Board added in a statement that a second batch of tadpoles was introduced at a separate site in March 2025, and are being monitored.
NParks said that in 2025, more than 3,600 trees of over 145 native species will be planted across 15 sites, including Chek Jawa Wetlands and Jalan Durian, as part of reforestation efforts on Pulau Ubin.
As for Ubin School, more students are set to benefit from it, as biology teachers in training from the National Institute of Education (NIE) have been brought to the island to learn how to use it as an outdoor classroom.
NIE associate professor Tan Aik Ling said that lessons conducted by teachers like Mr Tan from Commonwealth Secondary School that bring students to Chek Jawa reflects the growing focus on place-based learning .
The teaching approach brings students out of classrooms and into the places they study to better appreciate their contexts.
'We are trying to get kids to look beyond the here and now,' she said.
' A place has a value in every point in time, and we want students to appreciate that. The decisions we make on places today will have an impact on how they are valued, or devalued, as we move along.'
Mr Tan noted that reclamation is still a possibility, based on the authorities' plans.
Having seen Chek Jawa for themselves, he added, any decisions made about the place become more real to students 'because they went there, saw wildlife, and then can imagine for themselves what happens if all these are covered by sand'.
Ng Keng Gene is a correspondent at The Straits Times, reporting on issues relating to land use, urban planning and heritage.
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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Ubin School brings lessons on Singapore's land-use needs, village life and environment to life
(From third from left) Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan, Education Minister Desmond Lee, NParks chief executive Hwang Yu-Ning and Pasir Ris-Changi GRC MP Valerie Lee with students from Commonwealth Secondary School. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Ubin School brings lessons on Singapore's land-use needs, village life and environment to life SINGAPORE – When biology teacher Jacob Tan goes with his students to Pulau Ubin's Chek Jawa Wetlands, they take in the sights and sounds – sand bubbler crabs, staw-headed bulbuls and oriental pied hornbills. But they also cast their gaze afar, at Pulau Tekong, where land reclamation is ongoing. Pulau Ubin could have met a similar fate. Plans to reclaim its eastern shore were deferred in the early 2000s after environmental groups and nature experts flagged the area's rich biodiversity. Mr Tan's students from Commonwealth Secondary School visited the island under the Ubin School initiative, launched in 2024 to provide experiential learning and environmental education there. It was one of the initiatives highlighted by Education Minister Desmond Lee at the annual Ubin Day celebrations on June 28, along with infrastructure improvements, a new workgroup to restore five vacant kampung houses, and updates on a species recovery effort. A workgroup under the Friends of Ubin Network (Fun) – a group of villagers, academics and nature and heritage enthusiasts established in 2014 – will be set up to guide the planned restoration of five vacant kampung houses, said Mr Lee. The workgroup will comprise Fun and kampung community members, as well as academics from fields such as built heritage and culture. It was announced a year ago that the five houses would be repurposed for community and commercial use. Mr Lee, who has been chairman of Fun since 2014, also said on June 28 that Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan will take over the role. Jacob Tan, a biology teacher at Commonwealth Secondary School, utilises field trips to Pulau Ubin to teach students about Singapore's competing land use needs. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Mr Lee previously helmed the National Development ministry before he took over the Education portfolio in May. He said that several infrastructural projects on Pulau Ubin have been completed in the past year, such as upgrades to the earth tracks leading to Puaka Hill and to Chek Jawa Wetlands from Jalan Durian, and improvements to roads and bridges. To address flood concerns, a new drain has been built in the main village, while an existing stage beside the village's wayang stage has been widened. These changes have significantly reduced water entering villagers' homes at high tide, said Mr Lee. The widened drain near the main village's Wayang Stage on Pulau Ubin. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Seasonal high tides and monsoon surges have caused flooding on the island, sending seawater flowing out of drains and spilling over banks in five low-lying areas of the island a few times a year. Mr Lim Chye Hee, 69, who runs a bicycle rental shop in the main village, said he hopes further drainage improvements will be made, as the area still becomes easily flooded especially during heavy storms. 'There are only two outlets and the water drain quickly enough,' he told The Straits Times, referring to the widened drain near the stage. Giving an update on a species recovery effort, Mr Lee said the first batch of cinnamon bush frog tadpole s introduced at two sites in Pulau Ubin in June 2024 has matured into adults and adapted well – a positive step for the vulnerable native species. 'These early observations are encouraging and represent hope for the species' conservation beyond mainland Singapore,' he said. (From left) Pasir Ris-Changi GRC MP Valerie Lee, Education Minister Desmond Lee and Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan speaking with Madam Yeo Hui Bake and Mr Lim Chye Hee, who run a bicycle rental shop in Pulau Ubin. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG The National Parks Board added in a statement that a second batch of tadpoles was introduced at a separate site in March 2025, and are being monitored. NParks said that in 2025, more than 3,600 trees of over 145 native species will be planted across 15 sites, including Chek Jawa Wetlands and Jalan Durian, as part of reforestation efforts on Pulau Ubin. As for Ubin School, more students are set to benefit from it, as biology teachers in training from the National Institute of Education (NIE) have been brought to the island to learn how to use it as an outdoor classroom. NIE associate professor Tan Aik Ling said that lessons conducted by teachers like Mr Tan from Commonwealth Secondary School that bring students to Chek Jawa reflects the growing focus on place-based learning . The teaching approach brings students out of classrooms and into the places they study to better appreciate their contexts. 'We are trying to get kids to look beyond the here and now,' she said. ' A place has a value in every point in time, and we want students to appreciate that. The decisions we make on places today will have an impact on how they are valued, or devalued, as we move along.' Mr Tan noted that reclamation is still a possibility, based on the authorities' plans. Having seen Chek Jawa for themselves, he added, any decisions made about the place become more real to students 'because they went there, saw wildlife, and then can imagine for themselves what happens if all these are covered by sand'. Ng Keng Gene is a correspondent at The Straits Times, reporting on issues relating to land use, urban planning and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
11-06-2025
- AsiaOne
Students must be more critical, discerning: Experts weigh in on online peer-tutoring channels, Singapore News
To encourage themselves and their peers to hit the books, some Singaporean students have taken to platforms such as Telegram to offer guidance and support. Mohammed Danie Dahlan is one such student. The 18-year-old started a Telegram channel named socialstudieslovers in October 2023 after completing his GCE N-levels, where he shares Social Studies notes and exam strategies. A check by AsiaOne on Wednesday (June 10) showed that the channel has about 1,620 subscribers. While such online platforms can be an effective means to reinforce learning, experts say that students must continue to practice critical thinking and discernment while utilising them. Dr Lee Ai Noi, senior lecturer at the National Institute of Education's (NIE) Psychology and Child & Human Development department, told AsiaOne that peer tutoring can be highly effective when thoughtfully organised. She added that online peer tutoring initiatives, such as student-led groups on platforms like Telegram, offer convenience and immediacy, allowing students to share notes, clarify doubts, and support each other in real time. However, in the absence of teacher supervision or formal quality checks, the reliability and depth of shared content can vary significantly. Pointing out that students at the Primary and Secondary level might not have the ability to assess whether the information they receive is accurate or appropriate, Dr Lee said: "Informal online peer tutoring is most effective when supported by some level of oversight, structure, or moderation. "These elements can help safeguard learning quality and ensure a positive, balanced experience for all participants." Such platforms a 'natural response' Associate Professor Gregory Arief D Liem, a lecturer in the same department, echoed similar views to Dr Lee. "These (services) call for students to be more critical, more discerning and take personal responsibility in terms of to what extent they should engage," he told AsiaOne. He also stated that such online communities and platforms are "a natural response" given the importance placed on academic performance in Singapore and the digital era we are in. "It is understandable that this phenomenon is arising because of the strong motivation for Singaporean students to do well in their studies," he said. Dr Rebecca Chan, also from NIE's Psychology and Child & Human Development department, described the sustainability of such peer tutoring initiatives as a "two-way street". Speaking to AsiaOne, she said: "Teaching is only sustainable when the 'teacher' keeps learning and remains curious about the subject matter to stay current and relevant. "It is a two-way street where student peers raise questions that challenge the tutor... who is motivated and curious enough to delve deeper into areas that initially baffled them in search of answers." "Even if it is not sustainable, it is still a cause for celebration — our youth have initiated and learnt to harness social media for learning and teaching." Managing such channels not easy: Students Speaking to AsiaOne, Danie said that managing his channel is hard work as he has to ensure that it remains active, answer students' questions in a timely manner and ensure that the content he puts out is on-par with the syllabus taught in schools. Despite this, the first-year Polytechnic student said he enjoys juggling multiple responsibilities and thrives in fast-paced environments. To keep himself on task, Danie sets goals such as posting minimally once a week to remind students to revise certain topics or improve their understanding of the subject as a whole. He also began offering tutoring services over Zoom between August and October last year, charging $5 per hour. He has coached around 20 students taking their O and N-level examinations to date. Raina Nafisa, 17, started The Muggers in July last year before her O-level English Oral examination. The channel consolidates study tips, notes, and helpful resources across subjects from various sources in Singapore. Speaking to AsiaOne, the student said that she would manage most matters pertaining to the channel with the help of a few friends. But after a few months of doing so, Raina felt she is dedicating too much time to the initiative. She then decided to hand over the reins of the channel to her friend, Kara Wee, who was already helping to facilitate Zoom sessions, shortly after their O-levels. "I feel that she is more proficient than I was; from finding resources to talking with just managing her time in general," Raina said. Wee, a Year 5 student at St Joseph's Institution, told AsiaOne: "While hosting all the zoom lectures, I developed a profound sense of accomplishment knowing that I was able to help so many of my peers with their academics." She added that many students have even approached and thanked her personally since she took ownership of The Muggers. When asked if the two have any future plans for the channel, they mentioned discussions about turning it into a tuition centre. Otherwise, it will continue to be a network of resources for future students to use, they added. [[nid:718488]]
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Straits Times
Paint sculptures and learn about Punggol's history at new 10-day arts and heritage festival
The installation, called Colours on Shore, is part of a new heritage initiative that will run from June 6 to 15 in Punggol. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Paint sculptures and learn about Punggol's history at new 10-day arts and heritage festival SINGAPORE – Within the Waterway Point mall in Punggol is a cluster of boulder-like sculptures sporting paint-splattered handprints and brushstrokes. Made of canvas, the sculptures are part of an interactive art installation meant to represent Punggol's rocky shoreline. Punggol residents and their children can draw and paint on them as part of an experience to reimagine what is a central part of their neighbourhood. The installation, called Colours on Shore, is part of a new heritage initiative that will run from June 6 to 15 in Punggol. It is being launched under the National Heritage Board's (NHB) Heritage Activation Node (HAN) initiative, which aims to involve the public and local communities in celebrating the heritage of Singapore's neighbourhoods and organising their own heritage programmes. Punggol is the third town where this initiative has been launched, after similar runs in Katong-Joo Chiat and Clementi in 2024. The Punggol initiative's curator John Tung said the Punggol area was once known for its pig farms and for housing Singapore's first zoo, although the town's identity has evolved, and residents have different interpretations of the town now. 'There is a part of Punggol that is historical, for example the changing history of Punggol Beach, but it's no longer a fishermen's block anymore,' said Mr Tung. Once a rural fishing village with poultry and pig farms, Punggol began clearing out its pig farms in the 1980s. Construction of the first Housing Board flats began in the late 1990s. Other heritage programmes being organised in Punggol as part of this initiative, include one called 'Where Punggol Meets Plate', which allows participants to create a three-course food experience using local ingredients such as Nipah palm trees near Punggol Reservoir. There is also a listening and drawing workshop called 'Attuning to Nature' that will allow participants to learn about the natural and environmental histories of Punggol and Coney Island. These programmes are co-organised with over 10 community partners, and in partnership with art organization OH! Open House. Interested participants can sign up at: NHB's director for education and community outreach, Mr Gerald Wee, hopes the initiative will bring Punggol's history to life, and highlight natural spaces like Coney Island, as well as landmarks such as Punggol Jetty and Punggol Settlement. Mr Wee said previous launches of the initiative have drawn good feedback and 'brought together diverse communities to uncover and share neighbourhood stories'. 'As we launch HAN@Punggol with OH! Open House, we look forward to expanding this vibrant community of heritage enthusiasts, and deepening connections between communities and their neighbourhood's heritage,' he said. Ms Chua Sze Hwei, 37, a full-time homemaker who has lived in Punggol for about a decade, is looking forward to the heritage programmes. 'I think it would be great if the initiatives can attract people to see how young and how vibrant the community is in Punggol,' she said. Children trying their hand at the interactive art experience called Colours on Shore, at Waterway Point on June 6. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG OH! Open House and NHB also plan to go further with the initiative. In July, they intend to mobilise volunteers to go door-to-door around Punggol to invite households to have their portraits drawn and gather stories about their neighbourhood. This will be part of a three-year community initiative to create a directory of local stories that can be displayed in Punggol's public spaces. OH! Open House artistic director, Mr Alan Oei, added: 'Heritage isn't just something we visit in a museum - it's in the stories passed down at void decks, in the everyday rituals we don't even realise we're part of.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
