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| School
Family Education reaps positive results |
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| SouthWest
Community Development Council launched
family life centres in three new
SFE programme pilot schools on
7 June 2003. |
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These
days, it is not just students who are involved
in learning — their parents and teachers
have gone back to school too!
Since its launch in 2002, the School Family Education
(SFE) programme has taught essential life skills
to 12,000 parents,
school staff and students from four pilot schools.
About 80 family life education workshops were
conducted in each school per year. All these
would not have been possible if not for the support
of the Ministry of Education, Community Development
Councils, schools and voluntary welfare organisations.
SFE aims to enhance the quality of family life
by making family life education resources and
programmes easily available to parents, school
staff and students at the schools’ family
life centres.
A survey carried out during the pilot phase revealed
that an average of 80% of all participants gave
the thumbs-up to workshops and activities that
bonded the school community as well as highlighted
the why’s and how’s of building strong,
resilient families. All parent participants interviewed
said they experienced positive changes
in their paren-ting behaviour and family life.
Students stood to gain too. Said Secondary 3
student, Joanna Goh, “After attending the
parenting workshop, my mum became more understanding
to my needs. We could even communicate and discuss
things more openly.”
Parent facilitator Wee Soon Hui added, “One
thing I learnt is that if we do not let our children
solve their own problems, they will not develop
the skills and know-how to ‘problem-solve’ and
resolve conflicts themselves.”
Added Mr David Kan from the family life centre: “Looking
after the well-being of our children calls for
teamwork between families and educators. SFE
helps parents and educators to provide and reinforce
positive approaches to ensure the cognitive,
emotional and social growth of a child.” |
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By
Family Education Department, MCDS
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Benefits
of SFE programme
Schools under the SFE programme
reap many benefits, including
funding from the Ministry of
Community Development and Sports
(MCDS) for three years. In addition,
MCDS provides family life education
resource materials and orientation
to schools and their service
providers. For more information
on SFE, log on to www.AboutFamilyLife
.org.sg. |
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“The
family life centre in the school serves
as a resource library and a place for
parents, school personnel and students
to network and build closer ties.”
Mdm
Ho Geok Choo, MP for West Coast CDC
and Advisor to Boon Lay Grassroots
Organisation |
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