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The Teach Less, Learn More concept has found an unusual fervour at ITE. A group of 40 ITE College West students went canoeing with some ‘special friends’ down the Kallang River. For a day, the river was their ‘classroom’, where they learnt beyond the wonders of nature and the thrills of the water sport.

“I am glad for the chance to have my lessons outside the classroom,” said Silas Wong, 18. A student of Nitec in Precision Engineering (Aerospace), Silas canoed with a 25-year-old Down’s syndrome friend whom he was tasked to take care of. “I taught him how to paddle. Although it was not easy, with a little patient understanding and lots of signing, he was finally able to paddle and enjoy himself. We found a way to communicate and connect,” said he.

As for fellow student, Rayner Oliveiro, 19, he felt good, too, to have taken part despite his initial trepidation. “The disadvantaged friend under my care had a fear of water and refused to get into the canoe. So I had to encourage him. When words failed, I used body language to finally get him into the canoe with me,” said Rayner who studies Higher Nitec in Mechatronics Engineering.

River of Friendship
If the jubilant faces of the disadvantaged were anything to go by, the outdoor classroom, dubbed the ‘River of Friendship’ project, was a success. Lecturer-in-charge, Ms Rabaah Sman, explained: “The smiles said it all. I am so proud of my students. They were the ones who chose the Down’s Syndrome group when I asked them who they wanted to befriend.” Ms Sman teaches Lifeskills module and initiated the project so her students could learn more about communication, more so with the disadvantaged. “I felt that integrating an activity like canoeing with the disadvantaged will enhance their learning. I was also hoping to trigger their interest for community service,” she added.

For the project to take off, Ms Sman sought the help of the Down Syndrome Association (Singapore), Special Olympics Singapore, Kallang Sea Sports Club and the Central Singapore Community Development Council.

Big Tasks, Small Tasks
Once support was garnered, the ‘River of Friendship’ flowed. Students were put through a two-day Certified Canoeing Programme to learn kayaking basics, rescue techniques, capsize drills and safety tips so they could take care of their friends. Ice-breaker games were also held before the actual canoeing.

The logistics of planning was shared between students, with their lecturers guiding them on their tasks. Assigned the project leader, Tilagam d/o Velayutham, 17, took care of attendance, transport and food. “Though I did not canoe, I got to develop my interpersonal skills just as effectively through event planning,” said she, a student of Nitec in Electronics (Computer & Networking).

Tasks were given so students could stretch themselves to learn about responsibility, teamwork and the discipline to see the project through. Add these to the other skills acquired, and there is no denying the good of the great outdoors.