Aunty annes

SINGAPORE: Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of Education) Sim Ann, who is a member of Our Singapore Conversation Committee, will be in China for two dialogues. On November 22, the dialogue will be held in Shanghai at 7pm at the Singapore Consulate. On November 23, another dialogue will be held in Beijing at 7pm at the Singapore Embassy. A series of Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) dialogues have been held as part of efforts to reach out to Singaporeans abroad. The first of the series of overseas dialogues began in London on November 3. It saw more than 30 Singaporeans from all over United Kingdom coming together to participate in the dialogue. Most of the participants were professionals and students based in London. Some had travelled from other parts of UK, including Manchester, Warwick, Oxford and Wales to join in the dialogue. Many discussed the notion of the Singapore Identity and how they maintain a sense of … [Read more...] about Sim Ann heads to China for Our Singapore Conversation dialogues

SINGAPORE: Keeping the learning of mother tongue languages fun for young children is important for bilingual learning, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Law, Ms Sim Ann, at the launch of the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium. She said: "We know that curiosity and fun motivates one to learn, and also sustains learning. This rule of thumb applies to all learning subjects, including our Mother Tongue Languages. "This is particularly relevant in light of our diverse language environment, where more and more of our children come from English-speaking households." She added that the bi-cultural exposure will give children a competitive edge globally while strengthening their roots. Thus, the symposium allows for the sharing and exchange of ideas in the teaching and learning of mother tongue languages. Ms Sim Ann added: "We have also noticed, however, that not everyone is always aware of all the developments in schools and the community. Often, we found … [Read more...] about Keeping mother tongue learning fun important for children: Sim Ann

SINGAPORE: Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Sim Ann, replied to questions in Parliament on Monday about whether questions set in the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) favour students in the Gifted Education Programme (GEP). She said many GEP students do well mostly because they already exhibit strong academic abilities. But she noted that the GEP is not intended to prepare children for exceptional performance at the PSLE. Rather, it's meant to develop their intellectual depth and higher level thinking while nurturing productive creativity. MP for Mountbatten Lim Biow Chuan asked "whether MOE thinks that P4 or age 10 is the right age to categorise children into gifted or non-gifted? Why not classify them after PSLE, when most of the students are slightly more mature after going through their first major exam?" Ms Sim Ann said: "The intention is not to classify the students into any particular group. "And given our commitment to holistic education, … [Read more...] about GEP does not intend to classify students into groups: Sim Ann

SINGAPORE : About six per cent of students from the 2004 to 2006 cohorts withdrew from the Integrated Programme (IP) before reaching their second year in junior college. Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Sim Ann, said that more than half of these students continued their education on the 'O' Level track. She said the rest withdrew mostly because they were relocated overseas. Each year, about 3,400 students are admitted into the IP track. Fielding questions from MPs on the effectiveness of the IP, Ms Sim Ann said almost all who completed the programme qualified for publicly-funded universities in Singapore. She added: "There are also some positive outcomes that have been observed of students who have completed the programme. For instance, they have been observed to be more vocal, more expressive and independent...(with) stronger service to the community because IP students do serve more CIP (Community Involvement Programme) … [Read more...] about Sim Ann on effectiveness of Integrated Programme

Jo Ann Nixon , an attorney at Glenda M. August and Associates in New Iberia, has been reappointed to the State Civil Service Commission by Gov. John Bel Edwards. Nixon was nominated by the president of Dillard University, Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, to represent the 3rd Congressional District. The seven-member State Civil Service Commission has final authority over the administration of the State Civil Service system. Six of the commission members are appointed by the governor; the seventh is an employee representative elected by fellow state employees. Each member serves a six-year term. Other members of the commission are David Duplantier, chairman, Loyola University; D. Scott Hughes, vice chairman, Centenary College; John McLure, Louisiana College; G. Lee Griffin, Tulane University; Ronald M. Carrere Jr., Xavier University; and Kristi Folse, employee representative. Louisiana Realtors has installed Mark Ouchley, of West Monroe, as president; Eloise Gauthier , of … [Read more...] about Acadiana newsmakers: Attorney Jo Ann Nixon reappointed to state civil service commission