Youth forum: What makes a good school?

SINGAPORE - Now that the Primary School Leaving Examination results have been released, many parents are looking to enrol their children in good schools. But what is considered a "good" school?

Many people think good schools are those that have achieved good results in academics or sports. But there are other vital factors that make a school good.

First, the learning environment should be safe and conducive. Equipment should function properly and be safe for students to use, and the environment should not distract them during lessons.

Second, there should be firm and fair disciplinary methods where there are rewards and penalties. This will allow students to learn to differentiate right from wrong, and that there are consequences to their actions. This will equip them with socially acceptable behaviour.

Third, there should be technology tools that are accessible to all students at all times, either from home or at school. Many students find that using technology tools to learn is more effective than traditional classroom teaching. Technology is especially important when schools have to be closed due to unforeseen circumstances such as a disease outbreak.

Dylan Yeo Zhi Wei, 15, Secondary 3 student

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