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| Starting this month, Contact
will carry regular updates on MOE’s efforts to nurture
innovation and enterprise (I&E) in our schools. In this
issue, we revisit the BlueSky Framework, which was launched
at the MOE Work Plan Seminar (WPS) 2003, and find out how some
teachers fared during their recent work attachments. |
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“I
wanted to present fluidity, which I feel captures
the spirit of I&E, by using a lot of curves
and simple strokes. The simple strokes also remind
us that we need to discern the noise from the real
essence of I&E. It is often easy to crowd the
‘sky’ with lots of activities in the
name of I&E. The arrows represent the driving
force to bring the intent to reality. The triangle,
mathematically the strongest structure possible,
represents a strong and steady structure for the
three key enablers.”
Mr Lim Ee Tuo, Vice-Principal of Anglican High,
and designer of the BlueSky Framework |
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THE BLUESKY FRAMEWORK captures the key tenets and enablers
that will help create the conditions for the spirit of I&E
to take root and flourish. The blue sky reminds us that the
sky is the limit for I&E efforts. The five points of the
star represent the five tenets which guide the I&E effort.
The three vertices of the triangular core represent the three
key enablers which steer, seed and showcase I&E efforts
in schools.
The five key tenets
- Every child, not a few.
Students across all ability groups have the potential to
innovate and be enterprising, albeit to different extents.
- Celebrate, not mandate.
Efforts to nurture the spirit of I&E cannot
be prescriptive, as each school would be at different points
of the I&E journey.
- Flexibility, with discipline.
Openness and flexibility are fundamental to the
flourishing of the spirit of I&E. However, they are
not sufficient in themselves. Success in I&E comes about
only when the individual develops a spirit of resilience
and never giving up, picking himself up when he fails.
- Signposts, not scorecards.
“Signposts” and not “scorecards”will be adopted when
gauging the progress of schools’ I&E efforts. While scorecards
track achievements according to a specific set of measures,
signposts reflect the general state of progress along the
journey of nurturing the spirit of I&E.
- A journey, not a destination.
While schools should realise the urgency of the I&E effort
and embark on the journey without hesitation, a strong and
sustainable I&E culture requires time to deepen and mature.
The three key enablers
- People to steer.
The role of people in steering I&E efforts is critical.
A key issue to address is mindset. While promoting positive
mindsets that support I&E, we have to be mindful of negative
mindsets that could limit our I&E efforts.
- Provisions to seed. This
focuses on developing organisational capacity and providing
support to seed I&E efforts in schools. Nurturing I&E does
not necessarily mean introducing more programmes. Rather,
the focus is on maximising learning in existing school programmes.
- Platforms to showcase.
Schools are encouraged to participate in events that allow
them to share their ideas and innovations.
Cluster Superintendent Ms Tan Lay Choo shared at WPS03 that
the BlueSky Framework sets out the interlocking elements that
form and build an environment that enables, encourages and catalyses
the generation of ideas and creation of value. As educators,
our role is to nurture the spirit of I&E in our pupils.
Permanent Secretary (Education) Mr Chiang Chie Foo pointed out
during his closing address that while there is a need to allow
I&E to flourish and grow, we should not swing to the extreme
and let go of all controls as it may lead to negligence. “Instead,
it will have to be a gradual process of loosening up, of learning
to manage a more flexible system, in a more relaxed manner,
and to be confident that we are doing the right things as we
proceed. It is like learning to let go of control over your
child as he grows and matures,” said Mr Chiang.
To cascade the key messages from the WPS, Blangah Rise Primary
School organised a BlueSky Seminar as part of their year-end
retreat for teachers. “After attending the BlueSky Seminar,
the teachers were so excited that they devised an assortment
of I&E ideas, both at the systemic and event levels, to be considered
for implementation next year,” shared Mr Goh Zensen, Head of
Information Technology.
Contributed by Organisational Development Division
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