More Outdoor Learning for Preschoolers by Transforming Design of Physical Premises and Curriculum
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Carrie Tan’s inquiry on transforming the curriculum and physical design of schools to increase outdoor learning time for young children. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing replied that preschools are mandated to include regular outdoor activities and are planned with safe access to play spaces. He highlighted that primary schools dedicate significant weekly hours to outdoor Physical Education, supplemented by science modules, active learning programs, and cohort camps. Physical premises are being upgraded with fitness playgrounds, eco-gardens, and rooftop gardens to support these educational goals and facilitate unstructured play. The Minister affirmed that the Ministry will continue reviewing curricula and infrastructure to ensure outdoor learning remains a critical component of the education system.
Transcript
35 Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider transforming the design of both physical premises and curriculum of preschools and primary schools to increase the proportion of outdoor learning to indoor learning time in the critical development years for children.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Preschools are required by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to incorporate outdoor activities in their curriculum. Preschools providing full-day services must incorporate at least 30 minutes of outdoor activities daily or 45 minutes thrice weekly, while those providing half-day services are required to incorporate at least 30 minutes of gross motor activities thrice weekly, with at least one session outdoors. Preschools have the flexibility and are encouraged to go beyond these minimum requirements.
Preschools are also required to provide children with safe access to an outdoor play space. ECDA works with Government agencies and operators to plan preschools with easy access to the outdoors so that outdoor activities can be conducted. Every Ministry of Education (MOE) Kindergarten has its own outdoor playground and may also use the outdoor facilities of the primary schools they are located within.
In primary schools, weekly Physical Education (PE) curriculum time per week are two hours for Primary 1 and 2, and 2.5 hours for Primary 3 to 6. Weather permitting, a significant proportion of this time is spent outdoors. As part of Outdoor Education in PE, students are equipped with outdoor competencies to explore the natural and urban environments safely and responsibly. This culminates in a three-day cohort camp in Primary 5 which also allows students to develop values and social-emotional competencies.
The primary science curriculum and the Programme for Active learning (PAL) excite students through outdoor learning experiences and nurture a sense of wonder about nature and the environment. Additionally, a large proportion of our students are in outdoor-centric Co-Curricular Activities like sports and uniformed groups. Schools also provide opportunities for unstructured play by making sports facilities and equipment available to students during recess and after school.
All primary schools have outdoor facilities, such as school fields and outdoor play courts. We have progressively upgraded our primary schools with fitness playgrounds, and outdoor experiential learning areas such as an eco-garden. We have built roof top gardens in recently built primary school campuses that can double up as additional outdoor learning areas.
Outdoor learning is a critical part of our education. MOE will continue to review our curriculum and ensure that our physical premises support outdoor learning.