Edusave Award for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES)

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan, Pioneer SMC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education with minimal school co-curricular activity sessions in 2021, especially in primary schools, how does the Ministry assess students for qualification for the Edusave Award for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES).

Response

1. The Edusave Awards for Achievement, Good LEadership & Service (EAGLES) was introduced in 2001 to recognise our students' leadership qualities, service to community and schools, excellence in non-academic activities and good conduct.

2. To qualify for the award, students are required to meet a set of selection criteria reflective of the Co-Curriculum of their school. These include Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), Learning for Life Programme (LLP) and other school-based non-academic programmes. Due to the diversity of school profiles and programmes, schools have full autonomy to nominate any student who meets their selection criteria.

3. In early 2021, key elements of school life resumed with Safe Management Measures (SMM) in place. For example, the National School Games was convened for selected sports, and the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation was completed for Secondary and Pre-University levels.

4. When Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) measures in May 2021 resulted in the suspension of some school activities, all schools took steps to ensure that their students' learning and development was not unduly compromised. For example, some schools pivoted online by conducting eCCA or modular CCA by classes. In addition, schools continued to provide leadership opportunities and other student development programmes, aligned with prevailing SMM.

5. Schools have made adjustments to their school-based criteria to continue to recognise deserving students with the EAGLES award. For example, students were recognised for their leadership roles and involvement in Values in Action projects. These experiences, including students' learning dispositions and development as observed by teachers, may be considered in the schools' award selection process.

6. At the primary school level, the proportion of EAGLES awardees has remained at 9% in 2021, similar to the proportion in 2020 and 2019.