Why students’ caring, community spirit is even more important now in Hong Kong’s current political climate
- Schools valuing only academic success and sporting excellence give a deficient education, says Richard Vanderpyl, head of Christian Alliance International School (CAIS)
- Service learning has an equally important role to play in education so children are encouraged to make positive impact on society for benefit of others
[Sponsored article]
Many schools in Hong Kong prize academic success most of all, followed by sporting excellence, says Richard Vanderpyl, head of school at the Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) – the latest teaching expert to discuss pertinent issues surrounding education in the South China Morning Post’s recurring EdTalk video series of interviews.
However, while these fields are important at CAIS – which caters to children aged from five to 17 at its preparatory, lower and upper primary, and secondary sections in Lai Chi Kok, Butterfly Valley, Kowloon – it also places service learning among its top priorities.
Service learning refers to “the skills and knowledge which students can use to make a practical and positive impact within society”, says Vanderpyl who started work in Hong Kong last March after moving from New Zealand.
“It is really important that we breathe life into the curriculum and one of the ways we can [do that] is to provide opportunities for students to serve [others],” Vanderpyl says.
“Service learning gives purpose and meaning to what students are studying within the classroom.”
Service learning – the skills and knowledge which students can use to make a practical and positive impact within society – gives purpose and meaning to what they are studying within the classroom
He says service learning has been often “relegated” in education, but the focus is gradually shifting.
“I do see a change as society realises that we need people who have a heart and a concern for others.
“This does not come naturally and so schools play a part in developing these traits and virtues in students. Schools that neglect to do so provide a deficient education.”
‘Students’ positive impact in Hong Kong’
Ultimately, Vanderpyl hopes that his students will make “an impact in Hong Kong and be the best for Hong Kong”.
To do so, they must be taught to “apply what they learn and put it into practice in the community”, he says.
So, who makes up this community? According to CAIS’ definition, the community is “wherever students find themselves placed in, whether it’s their family, a sports group, a workplace or in a local block of flats – a place where people feel that they belong”.
Vanderpyl says: “We all live in the community; therefore, it is important that students have a sense of responsibility towards that community and add value to it.”
This is even more crucial now, in light of the ongoing anti-government protests in Hong Kong, he says.
The goal at CAIS is to develop within the students the heart and skills to enable them to be peacemakers, to bring harmony where there is disunity … and to perform acts of service for anyone in need
“Now is the time for even greater acts of service, mercy and kindness.
“The goal at CAIS is to develop within the students the heart and skills to enable them to be peacemakers, to bring harmony where there is disunity, to bring care where there is no concern and to perform acts of service for anyone in need.”
Service learning in practice
Service learning forms a significant part of the CAIS’ curriculum and day-to-day activities.
Every year, its grade 3 students, for example, run “market week”, during which they buy and sell goods to raise money for less-fortunate people.
Vanderpyl says students also support CAIS’ social justice group to collect, pack and deliver clothes for a clothing drive helping refugees in Hong Kong, and hold fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the community’s underprivileged population.
Parents are also encouraged to help with the school’s community efforts.
“Each year, parents of CAIS’ preparatory students take part in beach clean-up activities at Tuen Mun to learn about conservation and do their part for the environment,” Vanderpyl says.
“Parents’ involvement is key to building the partnership between the home and school.”
Vanderpyl says it is important that parents speak to their children about serving others as soon as possible to reinforce this “character virtue” in youngsters.
“No age is too young to be active in service learning,” he says.
No age is too young to be active in service learning. It is important that children – even the very young – learn that they should not seek their own purposes all the time
“It is important that children – even the very young – learn that they should not seek their own purposes all the time.
“We should provide as many opportunities [as possible] in school and at home, which will shape the students’ heart from an early age to have a disposition towards kindness and love.”
This involves learning early on to make self-sacrifices, he says.
“It is easy to either take from society, or do nothing that enhances it because it means not having to put the needs of others before one’s own needs,” Vanderpyl said.
“We want to nurture in our students the willingness to make the effort – and to sacrifice personal interest at times to serve the needs of others.”
