Values In Action (VIA) Programme
Nan Hua High School's VIA programme builds active citizens through community service and service-learning. Students grow from guided projects to self-led initiatives, developing values, empathy, and a drive to contribute.
Overview
The school believes that community involvement allows students to be active contributors as well as concerned citizens in Singapore. VIA is an important component of National Education and the holistic development of students for the following reasons:
VIA promotes active citizenry by involving students in meaningful community service to school and community.
VIA provides an opportunity for moral action and recognition of moral action.
The VIA development approaches centre on 3 aspects, forming the acronym S.O.W.:
S ervice-Learning methodology to develop the Heads, understanding that a failure to plan is a plan to fail
O pportunities in serving to develop the Hands, understanding that a gram of action is worth more in weight than a ton of theory
W idening perspectives to develop the Hearts, by exposing students to social issues faced by the local and global community and hence developing a cause for certain sectors of the community
With the approaches in place, the school believes that Nan Hua students will develop the following 4 traits of an active contributor and concerned citizen, combining to form the acronym ‘C.A.R.E.’:
Values- C entric Individuals
Students who possess and display the traits of the values of loyalty, filial piety, humanity and love
A ctive Citizens
Students who contribute significantly to the local and global community and continually seek betterment for the welfare of others
R esourceful Innovators
Students who bring about creative and innovative solutions to problems
E mpathisers
Students who understand the problems faced by the less-fortunate feel the woes and act for them
The VIA structure in Nan Hua High School is developmental, involving the students more and providing them with more autonomy in planning their VIA projects as they get more experienced. The nature of the student’s involvement in VIA ranges from service to school and environment, service to the elderly community to student-initiated projects, with the choice of beneficiaries depending on the students’ decision and interest.
