Meet Our Ambassadors
Aminah Abdul Latif, co-founder of Hundred Paths forest school
Darren Quek, founder of Singapore Forest School
Peter Hartkamp, founder of the Amersfoort Sudbury School and author of ‘Beyond Coercive Education’
''I am a passionate believer that play is a crucial part of a child’s life. Children are competent beings. They are creative and insightful beings and more often than not, come up with ideas that adults would not have thought of. Creativity and mastery of a skill takes time and all that children need from us is time and space to explore and develop their ideas. Singapore Democratic School is a place where children will find the time and space to develop all the skills they will need.''
''During my school time, I had a small streak of rebellion against the authority that I had wholeheartedly trusted. I spoke up in class against my teacher when I felt she reprimanded the class unjustly. I don’t know what got into me at that time. I was told to stand outside the class, but instead, I went to the staff room to complain to another teacher. That was the first time I consciously did not heed the instruction of authority. It was scary and liberating at the same time. I want more students to have the opportunity to speak up to authority and think for themselves. That’s why I support Singapore Democratic School, as it will make both students and staff accountable to their community.''
''It was a wake-up call when my daughter told me she would rather be dead than be at school. That is when my wife and I decided to set up a Sudbury school* not only for my daughters but also for other children. The unique aspect of a Sudbury school is the fundamental respect for children’s rights to decide what, how, when and with whom to do activities. Children are natural-born learners. What drives me is seeing children regain their natural curiosity and thrive. That’s why I’m hopeful when more Sudbury schools open worldwide.''
* A democratic school based on the Sudbury model
Marcin Szczerbinski, lecturer at the University College Cork, Ireland
''I am Polish psychologist who works as a lecturer at University College Cork, Ireland. My research and teaching spans literacy, oral language development, special educational needs, and anxiety disorders, but my distinctive passion lies in democratic education and self-directed learning. My research and experience led me to believe that we need to radically rethink our education – give children more control over what they learn, how they learn it, when they learn it, and with whom. For the last 10 years I have been involved in efforts to support democratic schooling in Ireland and beyond.
Sheryl Ang, community leader and self-directed learning advocate
''Children learn to navigate life best when they are allowed the opportunity to explore (aka play) and reflect. I have travelled around the world to see and meet many alternative education models. That is why I’m excited that SDS is taking root in Singapore, so that more children will reap the benefits of a self-directed life.''
Alan Morgan, programme director at UCD Innovation Academy
''Imre is a graduate of our Creativity & Innovation in Education program. We both share the view that the education system needs an update. Self-directed education has a long track record and offers a way forward towards an education system that harnesses a child's intrinsic motivation to learn and unleashes it, helping them grow into competent, creative, and entrepreneurial adults. I'm excited that children in Singapore will have a chance to benefit from a life-changing education at Singapore Democratic School.''