Metta School children travel to Penang on special trip
NTUC plans more engagement for students to be workplace-ready
For the first time, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Tiger Airways will broaden the spirit of a cherished long-term partnership and Do Good Together at Metta School, which provides education & training for children with mild intellectual disabilities and/or autism.
Aligned with NTUC’s vision to support future workers in striving for fair and progressive opportunities, Metta School is committed to nurturing their students to their full potential, preparing them to be workplace-ready and being gainfully employed by providing a holistic education that encompasses functional academics, arts, life skills, and vocational skills.
Mr Vivek Kumar, Director, NTUC Membership said, “Our strategic partnership with Tiger Airways has helped tens of thousands of working adults to unwind & recharge last year. We are glad to embark on this special journey with Tiger Airways to create warm and happy memories for the children from Metta School. In the Labour Movement, we look after All Collars, Ages and Nationalities of working people and this includes the less-privileged in society. With our Scholarships, Education Grants & nEbO Cares programme, we are on their side from a young age.”
The highlight of today’s carnival and celebrations is a ground-breaking initiative in July 2013 which will see 130 Metta School children, many of whom have never been on a plane before,along with caregivers, take off to Penang on a Tiger Airways aircraft that has been specially reserved for them. Upon their arrival, the children will be treated to lunch and a day tour before their return flight.
Mr Ho Yuen Sang, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore, said, “We share NTUC’s commitment in initiating programmes that benefit the community.Our strong regional network of over 50 destinations puts us in a good position to offer experiences beyond the classroom, and we are pleased to partner NTUC in bringing the children of Metta School on this learning journey. We hope this flight experience will be an engaging and educational one for them.”
Amidst a fun-filled carnival with games, a magic show, treats and performances at the school today, NTUC and Tiger Airways also announced the extension of their partnership to another 3 years, witnessed by special guest NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How. The signing will see benefits and savings for over 700,000 3-Gen members.
Ms Melison See, Principal of Metta School said, “Metta School is appreciative of the NTUC-Tiger Airways efforts in organising this carnival for our students. Besides the memorable moments our students will have, the school sees this event as part of our character education delivered through experiential learning. In this carnival, we want to inculcate and reinforce values taught such as respect for others through turn taking as students go from one booth to another and compassion as students help younger students / weaker students at the game booths.”
nEbO, the junior membership arm of NTUC, will be engaging these students through their programmes too. In the upcoming Industrial Exposure Week seminar for secondary and tertiary school students in November 2013, nEbO will be planning a special Learning Journey for the Metta School students. Focusing on the hospitality industry, the aim is to equip the students with more knowledge about the industry and operations to ease their transition to the workforce.
Mr Lim Eng Lee, Alignment Director (nEbO) shares, “nEbO is committed to getting youths Work-Ready, World-Ready and Life-Ready and we are happy to support Metta School to provide opportunities for learning outside the classroom. We hope their students can be gainfully employed and contribute productively to the workforce too.”
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