FAQs on SYDC Enrolment
(Sunday Youth Dharma Class)

The objective of Sunday Youth Dharma Class (SYDC) is to inculcate Right Faith and Right Understanding of the Dharma in youths.

SYDC is a structured 4-year course from Secondary 1 (age 13) to Secondary 4 (age 16). There are 30 units to be covered in each year. Please refer to this link for the course syllabus. Students automatically proceed to the next level at the end of the calendar year. No examination or test is required. Lessons are conducted every Sunday morning from 10am to 12noon at the Society’s premises.

English is the primary medium of instruction in SYDC. However, teachers may use both English and Mandarin to enhance students’ understanding of the Dharma.

The school year starts from January and ends in December. Semester holidays and school examination breaks are as follows:

Holiday Month
School Holiday June

December
Examination Breaks Mid-August to Mid-November (Sec 4 only)

Mid-September to Mid-October (Sec 1 to Sec 3 only)

* The semester holidays and school examination breaks will be adjusted according to the MOE’s annual schedule.

The weekly lessons include:

  • Explanation of Buddhism
  • Sutra recitation
  • Meditation
  • Classroom activities (e.g. group discussions, hands-on activities, quizzes, class presentations, games, etc.)
  • Sharing of merits

Students in each level will be provided with a textbook. Supplementary resource materials will be provided by the teachers.

SYDC teachers are volunteers who are outstanding graduates of the Society’s Chinese Dharma Class and English Dharma Class. Some of them are professional teachers or professionals from all walks of life.

Students are encouraged to enrol in the Society’s adult Dharma class after graduating from SYDC.

 

The full fee per year is $93 which comprises $90 miscellaneous fee and $3 insurance premium. The fee is collected in two semesters:

Collections Miscellaneous Fee Insurance Premium Total
First Semester
(payable in January)

$50
(5 months)

$3
(1 year)

 $53
Second Semester
(payable in July)

$40
(4 months)

 $0 $40

Textbook is $5 per year.

SYDC students are required to wear simple and neat T-Shirts with sleeves and pants that are below the knee. Girls with long hair are required to tie up their hair neatly.

Any student who is currently attending Secondary 1 to Secondary 4 may enrol in SYDC.

In the event that your child is considering to enrol in the midst of the school year, we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis, so please contact us for further information.

We welcome students whose parents are not Buddhists to enrol, as it aligns with the Society’s objective to nurture children with Buddhism education. However priority is given to those whose parents are Buddhists whenever there is over enrolment.

As lessons are group lessons, there are no make-up lessons arranged for students who are absent from class.

You may obtain a registration form from the information counter at level 1 of the Society or download the form at this link. Please submit the registration form through any of the following channels:

  • Information Counter at Level 1;
  • Email: info@tmbs.org.sg;
  • WhatsApp: 9663 2575; or
  • Mail: The Mahaprajna Buddhist Society, 11, Lorong 35 Geylang, Singapore 387943.

In view of the Covid-19 situation, the mode of lesson delivery, timing as well as class activities will be revisited from time to time to comply with the prevailing safe management measures imposed by the relevant authorities.