Before teachers and students alike get angry with me with the above, let me explain what I have in mind. Yes, I am going to suggest lengthening the annual academic calendar of schools in Singapore. But there is one very important caveat before I will agree to such a step. I propose that if schools (read teachers too) are willing to discard the written examination approach and teachers are allowed the freedom to allow time for their students to be able to explore what they learn meaningfully and deeply, with an emphasis on deep understanding and learning for transfer, then I say lengthen the school academic calender. Consider even banishing the school holidays.

I am inclined to believe that if schools decide that learning is to be done in this manner, students and teachers will find the teaching and learning more meaningful. It will not be the daily repetitive chore of the Singapore school sweat shop that students and teachers undergo. Teaching and learning would find new meaning and purpose. This alone, I believe, will inspire teachers and students alike to want to be in school. It becomes less of just mundane work.

Students can be given that independence to be real learners rather than just licking whatever that has been dished out to them or in many cases, rejecting what has been offered. Learning can be more in tune with the natural curiosity of students. When the task is consistent with nature, then it is not work but to be in a state of “flow”. The same will apply to the teachers. For students, it also means that they will not be treated like individuals with differing learning needs as opposed to the mass assembly line approach currently used.

Teachers will no longer find themselves as the Nuffield Review described, that is, as mere “curriculum deliverers” rather than “curriculum directors and developers”. Ownership of teaching goes back to the teachers. If that is not motivation for teachers then I do not know what is. It is telling the teachers that they are the professionals. It is telling the teachers that they are the ones who know their students best. It is reminding the teachers and reaffirming that they are the ones who know best what suits their students. It is also about humanizing a profession that has been reduced to concern only for high stakes examinations performance.

So extend the school calendar. But do so only if meaningful teaching and learning is encouraged and supported as the main activity of this place called school.

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