Reported by:
Tan Ginny SR3B
The Peer Learning Programme, otherwise abbreviated as PLP, is a study programme introduced by the Academics Department of Kuen Cheng High School in 2018. As of now, it is being successfully carried out for the fourth year running.
The purpose of the PLP programme helps students with less-than-satisfactory academic performances get their grades up by enlisting the guidance and support of older student volunteers. These student volunteers are students from many different classes who share a common passion for helping. The volunteers are assigned a group of two to six students who require help in specific subjects. These students are distributed to volunteers according to a form filled in by student volunteers that states their strengths and free time a few months before. Three weeks into the programme, I believe most volunteers have gotten to know their students better.
All the volunteers were briefed beforehand about their duties a week before the programme was due to start. Madam Tan Huei Chee, the Assistant Admin Head of the Academics Department is the teacher in charge of the programme.
Every student enrolled in the programme has to join a morning dance workout carried out in the school auditorium every morning. They dance to a very energetic song called ‘Big Dreamer’ sung by TFBoys. Follow up next, a meditation session, videos to help empower students with more motivation to study are presented. Former participants of the Programme are also invited to share their success stories.
The actual PLP programme happens after school hours. Both students and volunteers are required to stay back after school once a week, for the duration of one hour where they are free to ask their volunteer-in-charge questions about their schoolwork or upcoming tests. The volunteers do their best to help the students with any problems they might have.
As one of the volunteers myself, I find this programme extremely helpful to both the student and the volunteer. When a student does not grasp the concept they are being taught in class due to an unfamiliarity with either the subject or the teacher’s teaching style, they are more likely to understand with the aid of a student volunteer that is closer to their age and more able to glean what it is exactly that they do not understand. At the same time, it offers student volunteers the opportunity to further deepen their understanding of the subjects they are teaching. It also allows student volunteers a unique perspective of learning from a teacher’s position, while also letting them learn valuable skills in communication. Both sides are able to learn at the same time.
While all volunteers have their respective students to help, it is also not uncommon for volunteers to team up and teach together. Many find it much more efficient to have two students of differing abilities complement each other instead of struggling alone. Teamwork is dreamwork, as they say!
In a nutshell, this is a programme designed to aid students in ways only other students can. Everyone has their own ways of learning that are most effective for themselves, and yet in a class of not less than 30, most teachers are unable to give individual care to all their students. With this programme, it is hoped that students will be able to find the help they need and thus improve their academic performances.