Since when Papayas can be held accountable for anything? Since when do they tell the TRUTH?
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Sep 2, 2008
VARSITY ORIENTATION GAMES
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Keep physical contact minimal: SDU
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Ms Soh Eng Phang's letter, 'Making friends or making out?', and Mr Brian Selby's letter, 'Parent's four concerns about love courses in school' (Aug 23).
The Social Development Unit (SDU) works with institutes of learning to provide opportunities for social interaction, equip singles with relevant social skills, and encourage a positive mindset towards marriage. This helps young Singaporeans to lay the foundation for successful relationships and families later in life.
SDU's survey of 2,000 polytechnic students and university undergraduates on their attitudes towards dating and marriage indicated that the top three skills students perceive they need are communication skills (71 per cent of respondents), building and managing relationships (63 per cent) and balancing studies/work, family and social life (62 per cent).
With these in mind, the SDU facilitated the introduction of relationship modules in the curriculum in Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic. These courses have proved popular. We are thus extending this effort to junior colleges (JCs) and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
These life skills programmes will be incorporated as part of the school curriculum and adapted to suit JCs and the ITE. They will be taught by experienced and professional individuals. They range from social etiquette and gender communication to skills in managing relationship issues. They will supplement, not replace, the values imparted by parents.
We will facilitate these programmes only in polytechnics, JCs and the ITE at present, as students at these institutions are at a suitable age for such programmes.
On facilitating social interaction, the SDU supports student bodies in events that promote interaction and develop social skills. These include student-organised orientation camps which are endorsed by the student affairs office.
However, SDU does not approve of the games Ms Soh's nephews and nieces described. In fact, SDU informs student leaders who seek its support, that physical contact in games and activities must be kept minimal. It is also made known to them that games which may outrage participants' modesty or cause them discomfort will risk having their funding retracted. SDU conducts random (= 0?) checks on the events it funds, and seeks feedback from participants.
SDU will continue to ensure that funded programmes are purposeful and proper to enable interaction and develop social skills. Students who are forced to participate in activities they feel uncomfortable with, can give feedback to their student bodies, or to SDU via [email protected] if the event is supported by SDU.
We thank Ms Soh and Mr Selby for their feedback. Wong Kuan Ying (Ms)
Deputy Director
Social Development Unit
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Sep 2, 2008
VARSITY ORIENTATION GAMES
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Keep physical contact minimal: SDU
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Ms Soh Eng Phang's letter, 'Making friends or making out?', and Mr Brian Selby's letter, 'Parent's four concerns about love courses in school' (Aug 23).
The Social Development Unit (SDU) works with institutes of learning to provide opportunities for social interaction, equip singles with relevant social skills, and encourage a positive mindset towards marriage. This helps young Singaporeans to lay the foundation for successful relationships and families later in life.
SDU's survey of 2,000 polytechnic students and university undergraduates on their attitudes towards dating and marriage indicated that the top three skills students perceive they need are communication skills (71 per cent of respondents), building and managing relationships (63 per cent) and balancing studies/work, family and social life (62 per cent).
With these in mind, the SDU facilitated the introduction of relationship modules in the curriculum in Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic. These courses have proved popular. We are thus extending this effort to junior colleges (JCs) and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
These life skills programmes will be incorporated as part of the school curriculum and adapted to suit JCs and the ITE. They will be taught by experienced and professional individuals. They range from social etiquette and gender communication to skills in managing relationship issues. They will supplement, not replace, the values imparted by parents.
We will facilitate these programmes only in polytechnics, JCs and the ITE at present, as students at these institutions are at a suitable age for such programmes.
On facilitating social interaction, the SDU supports student bodies in events that promote interaction and develop social skills. These include student-organised orientation camps which are endorsed by the student affairs office.
However, SDU does not approve of the games Ms Soh's nephews and nieces described. In fact, SDU informs student leaders who seek its support, that physical contact in games and activities must be kept minimal. It is also made known to them that games which may outrage participants' modesty or cause them discomfort will risk having their funding retracted. SDU conducts random (= 0?) checks on the events it funds, and seeks feedback from participants.
SDU will continue to ensure that funded programmes are purposeful and proper to enable interaction and develop social skills. Students who are forced to participate in activities they feel uncomfortable with, can give feedback to their student bodies, or to SDU via [email protected] if the event is supported by SDU.
We thank Ms Soh and Mr Selby for their feedback. Wong Kuan Ying (Ms)
Deputy Director
Social Development Unit
