Increasingly, community based organizations are introducing programmes to schools to engage students of varying interests and further strengthen the school-community linkage.  In 2006, PAYM embarked on Service Learning Club, a co-curricular activity (CCA) that is endorsed by the Ministry of Education.  This CCA is built on a community focus that aims to provide holistic development in youths and to inculcate resilience, discipline and a spirit of service to others.

Members of the Service Learning Club (SLC) can organize and spearhead a wide variety of interesting projects for the school and community by tapping on their own talents and initiatives and on the experiences and resources beyond the school.

The first Service Learning Club was set up in Hwa Chong Institution as a social youth enterprise club and it was launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports on 24 July 2005. 

“Have your ideas of what you want (the society) to be…. What we still want young Singaporeans to learn is – this is your community, this is your society, your ideas do make a difference, you can make things happen.” – Minister Vivian Balakrishnan

Driving home the message that Singapore’s youths can and should get involved with a larger community, a roving exhibition on a bus will make its rounds to encourage students to get on board the Service Learning Club.