Schools turn underused spaces into tinkering hubs, edible gardens

$64m MOE grant helping them to better meet evolving educational needs

- Elisha Tushara

Mr Warren Thin, Palm View Primary's head of information and communications technology, guiding pupils (from left) Eshan Firdaus Selamat, Felicity Ying and Jeriah Ang, at the school's makerspace on Oct 23. Eshan said that at this place, pupils learn how to improvise and problem-solve on their own.

(ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI)

Schools in Singapore have converted underutilised spaces into living classrooms and tinkering hubs, with the help of the Ministry of Education's (MOE) School White Area and Canteen Grant.

Introduced in April 2024, the $64 million grant is intended for schools to convert and optimise physical spaces to meet evolving educational needs.

In response to queries, MOE said about 110 schools have tapped the grant to implement enhancements as at end-June 2025.

With allocated funding per school ranging from $170,000 to $270,000, schools have created areas such as makerspaces, environment hubs and student collaboration spaces.

Along with the grant in 2024, MOE has also provided additional funding for schools to buy new furniture and equipment.

"Schools have the flexibility to decide how best to use these additional funds to refresh their learning spaces such as by acquiring mobile furniture, LED display panels or magnetic whiteboards to support a wider range of learning approaches and programmes," said MOE.

Recess time at Palm View Primary in Sengkang usually consisted of pupils gobbling down their meals and snacks before darting off to the field or playground for play.

Since August 2025, pupils have been using their recess time to play, not under the sun, but in a makerspace filled with tools they can use to bring their design ideas to life.

What was once an underutilised art room on the first floor is now a launchpad for experimentation and creative thinking, where pupils have access to various tools and educational toys.