Nation

How One Simple Spreadsheet Revolutionized Teaching at Pei Hwa Secondary School

2025-06-04

Author: Nur

In a remarkable transformation, Pei Hwa Secondary School has drastically reduced the administrative burden on its teachers, saving each educator an impressive 60 hours of work annually. Gone are the arduous days of juggling multiple systems to prepare for parent-teacher meetings.

Now, educators can simply select a class and student ID using the school's innovative holistic student development dashboard. This game-changing tool compiles essential data from the Ministry of Education, internal school documents, and post-secondary admission booklets into one easy-to-navigate Excel spreadsheet.

Launched at the Teachers’ Conference and ExCEL Fest 2025, this groundbreaking project is one of 11 honored with the Minister’s Innovation Award. Awarded for its far-reaching impact on the education system, the dashboard exemplifies how technology can streamline processes and improve efficiency in schools.

The creative mind behind this dashboard is Mr. Kenneth Yeo Wei Qiang, the subject head of personal and aesthetic development at Pei Hwa. Initially conceptualized in 2018 using basic Excel skills acquired during his auditing career, Mr. Yeo’s project quickly garnered attention. Recognizing its potential, Ms. Shalini Tashnamurthi, the head of the infocomm technology department, collaborated with him to enhance and distribute the tool to all 88 teachers at the school.

Not only is the dashboard now utilized by all Pei Hwa Secondary educators, but it has also been shared with other schools eager to replicate this innovative solution. The dashboard helps map out potential educational pathways for students, linking their academic performance with entry requirements at various post-secondary institutions. This valuable resource equips teachers with the information needed to guide students and parents in choosing the right paths based on current grades and involvement in co-curricular activities.

Mr. Yeo shared, "In the beginning, we focused solely on academic grades. Over time, we’ve added non-academic data based on teacher feedback, ensuring the dashboard is user-friendly and meets the needs of educators."

Recognition doesn’t stop here! At the same event, 37 innovators received the prestigious MOE Outstanding Innovator Award for their phenomenal contributions to education.

Among them is Mr. Daniel Chua Boon Hwee from Chongzheng Primary School, who has gamified mathematical learning experiences. Motivated by the challenges his students faced with math, Mr. Chua took substantial strides toward making learning fun and engaging. He transformed traditional lessons into exciting narratives, where students tackle challenges in an escape room setup, allowing them to earn badges and unlock further learning adventures.

His innovative approach has not only elevated classroom engagement but has also sparked a newfound enthusiasm for learning among his students. Mr. Chua remarked, "Gamification empowers students to experience failure in a playful environment, making learning both personal and captivating. It’s crucial to create an immersive storyline that resonates with today’s digital-savvy youth."

The advancements at Pei Hwa Secondary exemplify how simple technological solutions can lead to significant improvements in educational practices, redefining the future of learning for both teachers and students alike.