HIS dream: To learn how to service and mantain an off-road bike, which he hopes to own one day.

And Muhd Farhan's school may help him realise it.

Motorcycle maintenance, hairdressing and baking will be elective subjects at East Spring Secondary School next year.

After learning core curriculum subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science in the classroom, students will go into workshops, salons and bakeries. This is in line with the Education Ministry's initiative on broadening the educational experience of students and exposing them to possible career paths or a course at ITE. (See report on right.)

But why would a school pick motorcycle maintenance?

The answer is simple: The students wanted it.

The school surveyed about 120 Normal (Technical) students and they chose motorcycle maintenance, hair-styling, digital animation and junior chef courses.

POPULAR CHOICE

There are more boys than girls - 70 boys and 50 girls - in this cohort, which probably explains why motorcycle maintenance was a rather popular choice.

Farhan, 14, feels that learning about motorcycle maintenance will prepare him better for riding off-road bikes and make it easier for him to get a motorcycle licence.

'I think it will be good for my future. It (repairing motorcycles) can be a part-time job,' he said.

He intends to 'do something related to engineering as my full-time job'.

The school is now in the midst of choosing the people to teach these subjects.

The students will be given an insight into the basics of their chosen elective.

For example, those who choose hairdressing will learn about hair structure, head massage and hair-cutting.

Each elective will cost about $240 for each student and there will be a total of about 20 hours of learning.

The cost can be deducted from the children's Edusave account and there will be some funding from the Education Ministry too, said the school.

Vice-principal Chew Ing Lim, 36, said: 'The school wants the students to find an area of interest where they can excel in and a skill they can use in the future.'

The school also intends to harness the skills of these students.

HAIRCUT AT SCHOOL

For example, those who can't afford a haircut may ask their peers (who have taken the hairdressing course) to style their hair for them - if they dare to take the risk.

And those learning cooking can help prepare meals for some of the school events.

For motorcycle maintenance, perhaps servicing the bikes can be part of a fund-raising experience, assuming that's allowed, said the school.

But whatever the course, the students we spoke to seemed quite pleased with the choices.

Isa Mohd Yusof, 14, likes to cook at home and has been learning from his mother for three years.

Naturally, he chose the cooking course.

He wants to be a chef.

Yusof said: 'I want to learn more about cooking because I like to eat too.

'After the course, maybe I can cook better for my mother and family.'