SINDA Excellence Awards Cohort Grows with More Indian Students Excelling at the National Examinations
859 recipients recognised by SINDA for their achievements – highest number of recipients in the ceremony’s history and second year in a row with over 850 awardees
Sinha Shilpa, 48, a teacher and mother of two, faced numerous challenges while pursuing her postgraduate studies – including caring for her children, navigating financial struggles, and supporting her mother-in-law through illness. Adding to her woes was her declining income, which she needed to sustain her family. Despite these, Shilpa remained steadfast in her commitment to education, completing several advanced courses over the years and consistently upskilling herself to provide the best for her students.
- 14 September 2024 – Sinha Shilpa was among 859 recipients recognised at the SINDA Excellence Awards (SEA) 2024, an annual ceremony organised by SINDA to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Indian students who have excelled in academic, arts and sports fields.
- According to the Education Statistics Digest 2023[1] released by the Ministry of Education, the trend of Singaporean Indian students performing strongly at the national examinations, as of 2022, had risen over a 10-year period:
- Close to 96% of the Primary 1 cohort progressed to post-secondary education;
- The percentage of PSLE students who scored AL 1-6 was close to or surpassed the national average in all subjects;
- Over 84% achieved at least 5 GCE O-level passes; and
- Overall performance of GCE A-Level students improved over the past decade.
- Similarly, SINDA has seen an overall upward trend in the number of recipients across most SEA categories, over the past ten years. From 2015 to 2024, there has been a:
- 107% increase in the total number of SEA award recipients;
- Almost 3.5-fold increase in the number of PSLE recipients;
- Four-fold increase in the number of GCE O-Level recipients;
- Two-fold increase in the number of GCE A-Level recipients; and
- Over ten-fold increase in the number of local university recipients.
- Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, and President, SINDA, Ms Indranee Rajah acknowledged the remarkable achievements of Indian students, highlighting the supportive ecosystem that empowers them to excel in their chosen paths: “Our national education system enables students to select from a variety of pathways that align with their interests and abilities. It’s important to acknowledge that each pathway holds value, and students can find success in whichever one they decide to pursue.”
- Shilpa, now an English and Science teacher with the Ministry of Education, was recognised at the ceremony for her outstanding performance in her NIE Postgraduate Diploma category. She expressed her appreciation for the award: “I’m thankful for this award, as it reassures me that I will have the support needed to continue learning and developing. As a teacher, this will be my motivation to enhance my skills and knowledge to better meet the evolving needs of my students.”
- Also receiving the SEA award was 19-year-old Aslam Abdullah Idris for his exceptional performance at the GCE A-level examinations. His journey was shaped by immense personal challenges, as he had taken on a crucial role in caring for his father, who is battling rapidly progressive dementia. Despite these heavy responsibilities, Aslam remained motivated to excel and make his parents proud. His challenges instilled in him a profound desire to give back to society, particularly in healthcare. Going on to pursue a Bachelor in Pharmacy at the National University of Singapore, he added: “This award inspires me to aim higher and shows that my hard work is truly recognised by the community. It gives me great pride and reminds me that with perseverance and determination, we can overcome any challenge that stands in our way.”
- SINDA prioritises education in the community, aiming to enhance students’ academic performance by offering academic, enrichment and financial support to students. In addition to fostering academic achievement, SINDA offers various children and youth development programmes to help students grow holistically and build a strong foundation. Annually, these programmes benefit around 12,000 students, youths, and children.
- Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, CEO, SINDA, emphasised SINDA’s commitment to education, and underscored the importance of focusing on holistic, well-rounded student development. “We live in a world that demands more than just academic excellence – it calls for creativity, dedication, and resilience. This is why SINDA is committed to creating initiatives that foster an environment where our youth can excel not only in their studies, but also in their passions, talents, and values.”
- This year’s recipients ranged from PSLE students to postgraduate degree holders, across 20 categories, including sports and the arts. In addition, a Special Mention category honoured 18-year-old athlete Laavinia Jaiganth, who recently broke the 50-year-old national record in the 400m race at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships. All award recipients received a monetary award ranging from $150 to $500.
- The event was held over two sessions at the Singapore Polytechnic to accommodate the growing number of recipients, and was graced by Guests of Honour, Minister Chee Hong Tat and Minister Indranee Rajah. They were joined by 1,500 guests, including community leaders, family members and educators.
[1] Ministry of Education, Education Statistics Digest 2023, https://www.moe.gov.sg/about-us/publications/education-statistics-digest