Embracing Our Singapore Community: The Rafflesian Way

This article describes Raffles Institution's whole school approach to service-learning. Service-learning is a curricular initiative undertaken through the school's Research Education (RE) Programme. The Research Education Service-Learning (RESL) framework promotes both cognitive and affective learning through active participation in service experiences and civic engagement. The RE component aims to develop the pupils' cognitive capacity through developing them into independent and resourceful life-long learners equipped with the necessary research skills, skills and inter-personal skills. The S-L component provides opportunities to develop character, leadership and social emotional competencies. It emphasizes the empowerment of students to think beyond themselves and develop the commitment to serve others in the community. In groups of 4 to 5, the students embark on their 8-months long RESL journey by working closely with the coordinators of the various community agencies and under the supervision of a teacher-mentor. (authors)