Co-curricular activity (Singapore) explained

See main article: Extracurricular activity. In Singapore, a co-curricular activity (CCA), is a non-academic activity that all students must undertake as part of their education. Introduced by the Ministry of Education (MOE), CCAs are strongly encouraged at the primary and post-secondary level but compulsory at secondary level. Students can choose from 4 categories: clubs and societies, physical sports, uniformed groups, and visual and performing arts. They may also start their own activities with the school’s approval. Anyone offering enrichment activities to schools must be registered with the MOE.

Structure

CCA choices vary widely from school to school, although schools at each education level are required to conform to national standards prescribed for that level. Joining a CCA is strongly encouraged in the primary and post-secondary education level. However, in secondary schools, CCAs are treated more seriously. Students are required to pick at least one Core CCA to join in Secondary One,[1] while being able to choose a second CCA if they wish. If the student excels and achieves results in their CCA, 1 to 2 'O' Level points are removed from the examination aggregate (a lower aggregate indicates better marks) at the end of the fourth/fifth year.[2]

The activities available as CCA choices can be divided into 4 key categories:

Competitions

Many CCA-related competitions are held in Singapore, creating a competitive environment which provide CCA groups an objective to work towards.

The Ministry of Education organises competitions for competitive sports at the zonal and national level, respectively the yearly Zonal and National Schools Competitions. MOE also organises the biennial Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) for the Aesthetics CCAs.

List of CCAs

Student associations

Sports and games

Uniformed groups

Performing arts

Note that Band may either count as a uniformed group or a performing arts group.

Clubs and societies

In some schools, instead of separate clubs for Language, Debate and Drama (and even Culture), these domains are grouped under the heading of Language Debate and Drama Societies, an example of which is the English Literary Drama and Debate Society (ELDDS).

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Overview of co-curricular activities | Ministry of Education . www.moe.gov.sg.
  2. Web site: Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE): Admission criteria . 2023-05-26 . www.moe.gov.sg . en.
  3. Web site: Why is CCA (co-curricular activities) important in Singapore schools? . 2023-05-27 . tutorcity.sg . en.
  4. Web site: CCA . 2023-05-27 . ITE . en.
  5. Web site: Brownies . 2023-05-26 . Girl Guides Singapore . en-US.
  6. Web site: Dancing their way to greater patience – and other benefits of an arts CCA . 2023-05-27 . www.schoolbag.edu.sg.