Primary 5 students from North Vista Primary School had the opportunity to learn about what it means to be a caring commuter this year, thanks to the school’s Values in Action (VIA) team! Chosen as an extension to the Primary 5 students’ English lesson on expository text, ‘Ride On’, where they learned about Singapore’s Public Transportation, the student learned about the empathy process (Awareness, Action, Advocate), and made group pledges to become caring commuters together.

Understanding what it means to be a caring commuter

Primary 5 students of North Vista Primary School working on their pledges
Source: North Vista Primary School

During the class activity, the students discussed what a pledge means and how they can make a difference. They were encouraged by teachers to brainstorm on the actionable steps that they can take to be a more caring commuter.

Many shared that they are usually aware of their surrounding when taking public transport and would offer their seats to those who needed them. Some confessed to feeling shy about giving up their seats but the encouragement from parents helped. Some also mentioned that they would pretend to alight by going to another cabin or moving to the standing area on a bus, in order to give up their seat to another commuter.

The students also shared heartening incidents where they were able to play a part. One student, Allyson, recalled an incident where she gave up her seat to a middle-aged lady on the MRT when she noticed that she looked tired and was carrying a lot of bags.

Another student, Kolby, shared that he offered his seat on the LRT to a commuter who had a prosthetic leg and was limping. Their schoolmate, Sheymaine, mentioned that she has used her own coins to help an elderly lady to pay her bus ride as she noticed that the elderly’s EZ-Link card had insufficient value.

Students with their pledges
Source: North Vista Primary School

Pledging to be caring commuters

As a testament to their commitment, the students crafted heartfelt pledges to be caring commuters in groups. Some of these pledges included:

Students with their pledges
Source: North Vista Primary School

"We pledge to give up our seats to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and the elderly."

Students with their pledges
Source: North Vista Primary School

"We will give up our seats to the elderly and PWDs. We will also look out for people with [the May I Have a Seat Please] lanyards or stickers, indicating that they may need extra help and care while commuting and see how we can assist them."

"We all pledge to help the people around us. We need to stay in a kind and caring community where everyone, regardless of their invisible or visible disability, will have the same opportunities as all of us."

Takeaways and inspiring reflections

Having pledged their commitments to become caring commuters in their own ways, the students shared that they feel that they are “contributing to the greater good and playing their parts to care for people in the society”. Armed with more knowledge about invisible conditions and inspiring stories from their classmates, they feel enlightened and encouraged to become caring commuters.

Let these students’ pledges serve as an inspiration for all of us to be caring commuters.