A Visit to the "Fine" City called Singapore
By: Prof. Virginia R. Fornias, Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Posted: Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Grade School Unit under the leadership of Sr. Edna Quiambao, OSB, has adopted and implemented Singapore Math from Grades 1 to 6. In 2011, the first batch of Math teachers was sent to Singapore for them to learn and see for themselves how education is delivered in the country. On April 11-14, 2012, another group of teachers composed of two Math teachers namely, Mrs. Antonina Cruz and Ms. Sarah Jean Tiangco and an English teacher in the person of Ms. Louie Joaquin, was given the same opportunity. The Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Virginia R. Fornias, was also invited to join the team. The trip, highlighted by school visitation with classroom observations and interaction with school administrators and teachers, is part of the Grade School's initiative to improve the Math and English programs. Such initiative is also one of the ten directions of SSC, Manila presented by Sr. Mary Thomas C. Prado, OSB during the opening assemblies of the current school year. The two primary schools visited were Townsville Primary School and Woodsgrove Primary School.

The educational visit was sponsored by Edcrisch International, which is known as the home of Singapore Math in the Philippines. The team enjoyed the company of teachers from other schools that are also implementing Singapore Math namely, St. Scholastica's Academy in Marikina, Xavier School, Miriam College, Mahatma Gandhi International School, Oro Christian Grace School and South Hill School. Other than the school visits, they also went to the National Library Board of Singapore, Marshall Cavendish Publishing House (the publisher not only of Singapore Math but of Science and English learning resource materials as well), Wizlearn Technologies (where delegates were given a demonstration on how to customize e-learning materials that they produce), Fountain of Wealth / Suntec, Merlion and the Universal Studios.

It was a 4-day trip filled with meaningful learning experiences that made an impact on the delegates as educators; an opportunity that made them reflect on how the Philippines can improve its educational system; on what best practices Singapore has that can be adopted in Philippine schools. It was an experience that Mrs. Cruz, Ms Tiangco, Ms. Joaquin and Mrs. Fornias will always remember and thank the administrators of St. Scholastica's College, Manila for.

By the way, Singapore is a "fine" city - you litter, there is fine; you violate traffic rules, there is fine; every violation, there is a fine. Hence, it is a fine city. These were the very first words uttered by Mr. Melvin Choo Voon Shan, the Director of Alkem Company, Pte, Ltd., who was also the group's efficient and very patient guide during the 4-day stay in Singapore.

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