Northlight School Programs
Youth Challenge overall track record with NorthLight over the last two years:
- Rigorous selection process resulting in10 scholarships ($10,000)
- DB “One-to-One” Day (October 18)
- Mercedes Benz Owners “Show & Tell” Day
- Joint development of bakery and job placement concept
NorthLight School is the only school in Singapore that offers a three-year enhanced vocational programme to students who attempted the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) twice. This means that students who would have otherwise left the education system without a PSLE certificate get an opportunity at NorthLight to equip themselves with vocational skills.
Many of the academically challenged children come from low-income, poorly-educated families that cannot provide for them. Their poor financial situation makes it hard for the children to stay motivated and continue with their studies. In addition, these students are often misunderstood as failures in life due to Singapore's highly competitive environment.
Youth Challenge believes that youths should be nurtured according to their strengths and talents if they are “late bloomers” or have difficulty conforming to a standardized system of education. They may find learning mathematics or science more difficult than most but they can still make positive contributions to the community if they are given another chance to develop their talents at their own pace.
Last year, Youth Challenge gave out 10 scholarships to financially strapped students at NorthLight School amounting to S$10,000. The school needs an enhanced hospitality program. It now offers housekeeping and food training. YC involvement would expand the program to include baking.
This second project involved 20 staff from Deutsche Bank participating in a special one-to-one interaction with the students of NorthLight School through sports and activities. This annual event was conceived and managed by Youth Challenge staff and volunteers.
Youth Challenge hopes to establish a bakery department and course at NorthLight. To ensure the sustainability of the project, YC will provide job placement for the YC-NorthLight graduates.
