School sets up new centre with mock parliament hall (left) to train future leaders
AMBITIOUS or methodical?
Either way, Hwa Chong Institution has set its sights on producing a PM, a top entrepreneur and a nobel prize-winning scientist.
The institution, formed by the merging of The Chinese High School and Hwa Chong Junior College, has already produced a president for the country: The late Ong Teng Cheong, the first elected president of Singapore.
He was a former student of The Chinese High School.
Hwa Chong JC has also produced 46 President's Scholars.
Its principal, Ang Wee Hiong, said the mission is to nurture students into globally-respected leaders.
To show it is serious about its goals, the institution has launched the new Ong Teng Cheong Student Activities & Leadership Training Centre, named after the school's 'most outstanding alumnus'.
One of the most unique features of the centre is the mock parliament hall, a multi-purpose hall modelled after the Singapore Parliamentary Chamber.
It will serve as a venue for students to have debates and formulate school policies for the student population.
Mr Ang said: 'The centre is not only a tribute to the president's outstanding qualities and immeasurable contributions to the nation, it is also a symbol of Hwa Chong's commitment to developing leaders for the nation.'
The student centre was launched on 21 Mar, to coincide with the school's 88th anniversary. It also houses a dance studio, 10 choir practice rooms and three music rooms.
Nigel Bay Shen Yang, 17, is a Year 5 student in Hwa Chong. He finds the centre's facilities give them greater room to pursue their 'passion in co-curricular activities and even politics'.
Nigel was formerly the captain of the 'C' Division school team for tennis and a former executive committee member of Hwa Chong's student council.
CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT
Fellow schoolmate Leong Yuan Chang, 17, agrees with him.
The ex-president of the student council and a school sprinter, added: 'The mock parliament hall is a conducive environment for students to carry out active discussion.'
But Yuan Chang doesn't think the school should stop at producing just a handful of top leaders in specific fields.
'We should develop each student to his or her fullest potential, to be leaders in all sectors.'
He doesn't, however, doubt that Hwa Chong will produce a prime minister.
'Anything is possible. And since we have already produced a president, we probably will be able to produce a prime minister,' he said.
Hwa Chong's target: Produce a PM for S'pore 
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