Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen revealed three major initiatives that will accelerate improvements in primary education and take education to a higher level in a speech Thursday.

The following is an excerpt from his speech regarding single-session primary schools:

"Double session and even partial single-session schools limit the time and space available to achieve educational goals.

"As a simple example, it is more challenging to timetable and conduct CCAs and other programmes that develop character and values, when you know that you have to vacate the classroom because it is needed by another session.

"Schools that have gone to a single-session structure have found it a better environment to teach and develop students.

"When more curriculum time is needed for both formal and informal programs, it has allowed some to lengthen their school day slightly, or have extended school days once or twice a week to have mass CCAs.

"Others have also experimented with longer periods of 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes. A longer break between lessons is valued by both students and teachers.

"It also allows for more quality teacher-student interactions and the use of more engaging pedagogies such as group work or for students to practise presentation skills.

"Teachers find it useful too, as it allows more common time for professional development and sharing among teachers, across all levels from P1 to P6.

"We should guard against single-session schools becoming full day schools with a heavier workload for students. That's not the aim. It should instead allow for more time and space to develop the child more fully.

"I see great merit in having as a norm, single session for all primary schools.

"Grace Fu's Committee will study how this can be achieved within a reasonable and achievable timeframe. I think it will be possible for the majority of our schools.

"But, a number of more popular schools may need a little more time as they have to cater to a large intake every year.

"Needless to say, we will also need more facilities for CCAs. MOE is already setting up two more Adventure Centres, customised for the purposes of primary schools, to be ready by mid-2011. But the Committee should study what other facilities are also needed.

"We will also need to ensure students have the financial resources to participate in more CCAs and enrichment activities. To assist, MOE will increase the contributions to Edusave Accounts for pupils from the current $180 to $200 per year for primary students, and $220 per year to $240 for secondary students, from next year.

"We will also remove the age cap of 16 years for secondary level students to be eligible for the contributions. This means an additional injection of $11 million by MOE. This will support a wider range of enrichment programmes to enhance the holistic learning experiences.

"These funds must be used wisely but I would be prepared to spend more if Grace Fu's Committee can justify and recommend better programmes."