On December 2, 2024, Shri Pema Gyaltsen Bhutia, CEO of the Education Department, spoke about the growing collaboration between the Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) and the Singapore National Institute of Education (NIE), opening up exciting opportunities in curriculum development and policy planning. The first-ever Sikkim-Singapore Pedagogical Exchange Programme at the KCC Centre brought together 32 education officers and 28 student-teachers from both regions. Among the distinguished guests were Shri Dhansing Limboo, Zilla Adhakshya of Geyzing District; Dr. Robin Chettri and Smti Tschering Chamu Chutia, along with SCERT professors, DIET Gyalshing lecturers, and school heads from Yuksom-Tashiding. The programme was a great chance to discuss key areas in education, Singapore’s holistic teaching approach, and physical education. Educators from both sides were excited to discover the many similarities between their education systems, especially their shared commitment to tailoring curricula to meet students' needs and aspirations. One of the standout moments was learning about Singapore's comprehensive Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum. Both Singapore and Sikkim use storytelling to teach important values, which makes learning more engaging and helps students develop language skills. Singapore’s introduction of the Clarify-Sensitize-Influence (CSI) framework also sparked great discussions about how to create meaningful reflective questions in the classroom. The exchange also highlighted Sikkim’s unique approach to career guidance, where village elders are invited to schools to share their wisdom and experiences. This practice helps preserve cultural traditions while offering students valuable career insights. As Sikkim places more focus on physical education, educators learned about Singapore's National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) program, which tests students on endurance, flexibility, and agility. Sikkim educators were eager to share their own ideas, like using standardising fitness standards between male and female students to promote gender equality and recognizing different levels of achievement to better encourage students. Overall, the exchange was a fantastic opportunity for both Sikkim and Singapore educators to learn from each other. Many of the Sikkim educators expressed a desire to continue the collaboration, even visiting Singapore to see how its policies have been put into practice. These exchanges have so much potential, and it’s exciting to think about all the future connections and opportunities it will bring.
