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Our alma mater is slated for a massive two-year upgrading and rebuilding project under Singapore Ministry of Education’s PRIME (Programme for Rebuiding and Improving Existing Schools) initiative from January 2010 to December 2011.
As a government-aided school, we need to raise 5% of the cost for standard facilities (e.g. classrooms) and 100% of the cost for all non-standard facilities (e.g. gymnasium and drama studio). Our school depends on the generosity of alumnae, parents, friends and other supporters to help finance the full $5m building plan.
SNGS will rebuild the older blocks and upgrade the extension block. Many supporters of our school have asked whether a complete rebuild of the older blocks is necessary. The school has analysed the various options extensively with the appointed consultants from ADDP Architects. The conclusion is it is not feasible to simply undergo an extensive upgrading of all the existing blocks for the following reasons:
- The existing infrastructure of our building (built in the mid-80s) falls short of MOE’s current physical specifications for schools. All our classrooms are 30m 2 smaller than the new ‘national standard’ of 90m 2. As a full school (i.e. with primary and secondary sections), we are also entitled to build two indoor sports halls. These are just some examples of standard facilities for all schools in Singapore that are incorporated in our PRIME re-building project.
- The school faces frequent power outages, particularly when lightning strikes. For instance, one of the circuit breakers was found to be faulty in 2007. It had to be replaced at once—failing which a fire could break out. The school was closed that day for urgent repairs works to be carried out.
- There are serious water seepage problems resulting in wet floors and minor flooding in parts of the school building (e.g. Bach music room, chapel, library, and arts & craft room) on raining days. On 7 January 2008, the primary staff room and staff lounge were flooded due to heavy rainfall over the weekend. The water seeped through the wall down to the general office below, and the printing machines were soaked through and had to be repaired.
The final decision is therefore to maximize the PRIME opportunity to re-build the older blocks and upgrade the extension block. This would also allow the school to optimise the allocation of facilities to best suit the requirements of staff and students, as well as to ensure administrative effectiveness and efficiency. |
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