MOE-OBS Challenge Programme to resume with safe management measures
The five-day programme has been redesigned to a two-day non-residential course.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many school activities have been cancelled or altered.
Recognising that students need to continue building their confidence and resilience during outdoor adventure learning opportunities, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Youth Council (NYC) announced on Friday (Mar 19) that the MOE-OBS Challenge Programme (MOC) will be resuming.
The five-day MOC programme had been put on hold since January 2020. It has since been redesigned to a two-day non-residential course, with students reporting to their schools for temperature taking every morning.
To ensure the safety of students, safe management measures have been put in place.
Participants will not be enrolled in the programme if they exhibit symptoms of respiratory illness. Throughout the programme, they will have to wear their face masks at all times except for certain activities, during which they have to maintain a safe distance of two metres from each other.
Food will be served individually, shared equipment will be sanitised before and after use, and OBS instructors will ensure they have minimal contact with the general public.
To find out how the programme would help youth build their confidence and teamwork skills, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong joined Secondary 3 students from Damai Secondary and Queenstown Secondary School as they took part in team-based expedition activities.
Mr Tong said: “With many activities now conducted online, outdoor activities with safe management measures provide important shared learning experiences, such as overcoming challenges together.
“In the process, our youth will develop qualities such as resilience, empathy and teamwork, which are all the more relevant amidst the pandemic.”
For more information on the programme, visit the OBS website.
