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Chou Sing Chu Foundation Sponsors 10 Primary Schools’ Libraries – Bringing a wide variety of Chinese books closer to children
Mar 26, 2019 
Chou Sing Chu Foundation
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Top (from left): Mr Thomas Tham, Vice Principal of St. Andrew’s Junior School, Mdm Patricia Sim, Vice Principal of Zhenghua Primary School, Mr Anthony Lua, Vice Principal of Geylang Methodist Primary School, Ms Lim Siew Gim, Vice Principal of Hougang Primary School, Mr David Wang, Vice Principal of Concord Primary School, Mdm Foo Huey Ying, Vice Principal of Marsiling Primary School Seated (from left): Mdm Ngiam Wee Heng, Vice Principal of Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Ms Tan Hui Yah, Vice Principal of Boon Lay Garden Primary School, Prof Eddie Kuo, Mr Chou Cheng Ngok, Mr Ch’ng Jit Koon, Mr Michel Saw, Principal of Edgefield Primary School, Mr Vincent Tan, Vice Principal of Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School
Chou Sing Chu Foundation (CSCF), a non-profit cultural organisation in Singapore, continues to promote reading Chinese books through its new “School Library Donation Programme”.
In 2016, CSCF started donating a total of 56,000 Chinese children’s books to the Tampines Regional Library over a period of five years. To support the reading programmes in our local primary schools, CSCF will also be donating a total of over 11,000 Chinese children’s books to the libraries of 10 selected primary schools in 2019.
“There is no such thing as a child who hates to read;
there are only children who have not found the right book.”
– Frank Serafini, Professor of Literacy Education and Children’s Literature at Arizona State University
Objectives of this Programme
CSCF aims to promote Chinese culture, education and language in Singapore, and we believe reading is the key to helping our children learn about our precious cultural and literary heritage. The main objective of the Chou Sing Chu Foundation School Library Sponsorship Programme is to attract the school going children to explore the beauty of the Chinese language from a young age by providing them with comprehensive spread of Chinese children’s books that are both interesting and enriching.
Ms. Ruth Cao, Executive Director of CSCF, said: “Chou Sing Chu Foundation believes that reading is vital in the learning of a language, and actions speak louder than words. We feel both honoured and thrilled to expand our Library Sponsorship Programme to the primary schools in Singapore.”
Selection Criteria
In May 2018, CSCF invited primary schools in Singapore to submit their applications to our School Library Donation Programme. Our panel of three judges, comprising of three professionals, Professor Eddie Kuo, Dr Tan Ah Hong and Mr Tan Kee Yan, reviewed 35 applications. 10 primary schools were selected.
One of the key factors the judges looked for was each school’s existing programmes in promoting reading in Chinese, as well as their proposed plans to make the donated Chinese children’s books available to their students in their libraries. CSCF will work closely with representatives from each of the 10 selected primary schools to select books that will best suit the interests of their students.
The panel of judges share a common vision. Professor Eddie Kuo, who is a member of CSCF and a key driver behind CSCF’s major programmes to promote Chinese, and Professor Emeritus, Nanyang Technological University; Academic Advisor, Member, Academic Board, Singapore University of Social Studies brought his vast experience from the selection processes of various awards and sponsorship committees to the table, including the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. Professor Eddie Kuo said: “We are glad that these additional Chinese books can be circulated among the students in these schools. Moreover, we expect the schools to run relevant activities, such as storytelling and games, to arouse students’ interest in Chinese language and culture.”
Dr Tan Ah Hong, a lecturer at the National Institute of Education (NIE), believes that our young learners will benefit from this meaningful programme.
CSCF’s School Library Programe was initiated by Mr. Chou Cheng Ngok, Chairman and founder of CSCF, said: “We plan to expand this sponsorship to minimum 40 more schools over the next 2 years. CSCF is committed to bringing quality Chinese books to the children of Singapore, whilst promoting the learning of Chinese from a young age.”
One of the beneficiary schools, Mr Michel Saw, Principal, Edgefield Primary School, has stated: “We appreciate the support of the Foundation and their sponsorship of the Chinese books which would help complement our existing collection. Our students will benefit from the wide variety of books, and this initiative helps to enhance the school’s reading programme. There is no other gift that would bring as much joy to the lives of children than the gift of reading.”
The 10 selected primary schools:
1. Boon Lay Garden Primary School
2. Concord Primary School
3. Edgefield Primary School
4. Geylang Methodist Primary School
5. Hougang Primary School
6. Marsiling Primary School
7. Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School
8. Princess Elizabeth Primary School
9. St. Andrew’s Junior School
10. Zhenghua Primary School