Singapore Extreme School

Today On Extreme School...

-Two troublesome teens from Glasgow...

-Don't talk back to me.

You think it's funny?

..sign up for a strict school in Singapore.

-Follow the school rules.

-There's tough challenges...

We had no time to think.

HE SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE

..and harsh punishments for breaking the rules.

-Oh, it stinks in here.

-I don't want to see any black stains.

Can they toe the line at this extreme school?

If you keep talking back to me I'll send you to the principal.

Do you follow school rules or make up your own?

Do you love pushing your teacher's patience to the limits?

Stop talking!

And spend more time outside than inside the classroom?

It's your fault.

If this is ringing alarm bells, then five

days at one of the world's toughest schools could be a game changer.

Today, I'm at a school in Glasgow.

I'm here to give two rule breakers a big wake-up call.

13-year-old Reagan always likes to be the centre of attention.

My reputation is kind of like talking, disrupting, answering back.

I'm in trouble every day.

My dream job when I'm older will probably be a football player.

That's more important to me than anything, to be honest.

And 13-year-old Saqlain is no better when it comes

to playing by the rules.

I'm like a teacher's nightmare because I get cheeky with them.

I'm not the king of rule breaking, but I think I'm the prince.

Their behaviour needs to change, fast.

Before I meet these cheeky chappies, I need to scout out some

evidence for my extreme school dossier.

So tell me, what's Reagan like at school?

A bit of a Jack the lad. Reagan's one of those boys

that needs to learn when not to talk back to teachers.

Reagan can be very disruptive in class.

So, tell me, what's Saqlain like in class?

Saqlain's often out of class.

Saqlain needs to focus and concentrate much more in class.

He is very easily distracted.

The case is watertight.

These boys are 100% in need of an extreme school experience.

It's time for Reagan and Saqlain to swap

their school bags for suitcases.

Hello, I'm Susan Calman from Extreme School.

CHEERING

Now, I am looking for Reagan and Saqlain.

Could you come up to the front, please? Come and join me.

So Reagan, Saqlain, I've been told you talk back to teachers,

is that right?

Yeah. Some of them can be cheeky to you.

Oh, so it's the teacher's fault for being cheeky.

Basically, yes.

Now, Saqlain, you've got a bit of a problem following school rules.

-Is that right?

-What's the school rules? I've never heard them.

-So no-one's told you the school rules.

-Yes.

I see, it's a lack of information. That's appalling, isn't it?

-So if you were told the school rules, would you follow them?

-No.

Well, it's very clear to me that both of you are crying

out for a stint at an extreme school and have I got a beauty for you.

At this school, the school rule book is over 60 pages long.

What?!

What?! What?!

At this school, the academic day starts at 7.30 in the morning.

What the...?

At this school, pupils greet their teachers by kissing their hands.

Oh, no.

You're going to Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah school,

a strict religious school in Singapore.

LAUGHTER

Rules are really important.

The whole of this country respect the rules.

Bye now. Bye.

Watch out, Singapore.

His fault if we get in trouble.

-It'd be his fault if we get in trouble.

-You're worse than me.

-So.

Reagan and Saqlain will be flying almost 7,000 miles

from Glasgow to South East Asia.

It's here you'll find bustling Singapore.

One of the most densely populated countries in the world where

the streets are clean because chewing gum is banned.

It's home to the Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah school,

where Mr Isham is in charge.

Every child must learn to respect the school rules.

We have a few very strict teachers and they really mean business

and they won't take any messing around.

With a school motto of strength and honour, pupils are expected to

excel in academic life and uphold Muslim values.

Persistent rule breakers back home, can Saqlain and Reagan

toe the line here?

The buildings are huge. Whoa.

The boys have agreed to enrol at the school for five days.

That's massive.

To graduate successfully, they must follow the uniform correctly,

treat teachers with respect and succeed in an end of week challenge.

Meeting the head should help them realise what they've let

-themselves in for.

-Hello, guys.

-Hello.

-And you are?

-I'm Reagan.

-And you are?

-I'm Saqlain.

Please come. Follow me.

In this school, you are expected to follow the school rules

and we have a few of them.

Number one. Students should wear the school uniform correctly all times.

Students should listen when teachers are talking.

Students should use correct greeting when addressing teachers

and adults in school.

And finally, the most important rule,

students must always respect teachers and never talk back.

If any of the students don't follow the school rules

I will give them punishment.

-What is the punishment?

-They have to wash the toilets.

Oh!

We did just hear a lot of school rules.

Trying not to talk back to teachers will be my hardest rule, I'd say.

I think they look like they will have a good time washing

the toilets.

If they don't want to get their hands dirty, they'll definitely need

to stick to this school's first rule -

wearing the proper uniform.

Once you are dressed, Mr Mustaqim will come and do uniform check.

-Let's try it on.

-Let's go.

THEY LAUGH

I'm not wearing the hat. You can wear your hat.

I am not wearing my hat.

School disciplinarian, Mr Mustaqim,

is extremely hot on uniform standards.

I won't tolerate misbehaviour.

If they misbehave, they'll get the consequences.

You look like a waiter.

You've got the exact same thing on as me.

I'm Mr Mustaqim. Where is your hat? Wear it now.

-Why are you wearing your jacket?

-Don't know.

-You have to remove it.

-Now?

Yes, now. Faster. Go and put it there.

-Your hat.

-I don't have one.

-Take it now.

-This one?

-Yes.

I'll take my other one.

Raise your trousers. Why are you wearing white socks?

You have to wear black socks. Do you have black socks?

-No.

-You have to buy.

-No money.

If you keep talking back to me, I'll send you to the Principal.

-OK.

-Want to go to the Principal?

-No.

-Good.

Saqlain was talking back to me and that is not acceptable.

On the first day, I'll give him a chance,

but if he do that again, there will be consequences.

After a stern talking to, it's off to their first class where boys

and girls sit separately.

Time for an introduction to school custom.

OK, this is not how we greet in Malay Muslim society.

What you're supposed to do,

is you're supposed to hold my hand and kiss.

That's right. Would you like to try? Very good.

It's certainly worlds apart from Glasgow and that's not the

only difference as the boys learn Malay.

THEY SPEAK MALAY

Very good. I have homework for you to do tomorrow.

You're supposed to address yourself in Malay in front of the school

and you have to recite the national pledge also.

-That's too much.

-I know it is.

We're meant to recite this for tomorrow in an assembly

in front of the whole school, so that's not too good.

Before they can master the pledge, there are more pressing matters.

To pass extreme school, the boys must complete an end of week

challenge and Mr Isham has summoned them for a demonstration.

The Singaporean boyband, Irsyadee, were pupils at the school so

Saqlain and Reagan have a lot to live up to.

At the end of this week, we're putting up

a show for the school to celebrate.

You'll be joining this group.

You'll be wearing the costume

and the rest of the school will be watching you.

As well as performing a traditional Singaporean Indang dance routine,

the boys will need to compose and recite a poem

reflecting their time at the school.

The dance looked quite easy but it's probably more difficult

than it actually is.

We will not do this in Glasgow because it would be too embarrassing

and everyone would start laughing.

The school day in Glasgow starts at 8.45 but at 7.15am

in Singapore, assembly is about to begin.

-Actually, it's so early, it's unbelievable.

-I know.

This morning, the boys must introduce themselves to the whole

school in Malay and recite the national pledge.

I've never done anything like this before

and it is getting a bit nerve-racking.

I'm feeling a bit nervous, as well,

because there's too many people in the school.

Today we have special guests from UK.

Hello.

-ALL:

-Hello.

BOTH: We, the citizens of Singapore pledge ourselves as one united

people regardless of race, language or religion to build

a democratic society based on justice and equality.

To achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

Thank you, boys. Please take a seat. Join the class.

I'd say it was a successful first morning.

-Getting the homework out the way. Done and dusted.

-Yeah.

-That's us.

-That's us done.

Homework completed, it's straight into a full timetable.

First up, Islamic studies with Mr Mustaqim...

Denial on earth as a human being, you need to be

truthful in whatever you do.

Chin up. Sit properly.

..brushing up on the local language...

How do you say good morning in Malay?

HE SPEAKS MALAY

HE REPEATS GREETING

..and lunch, Singapore style.

I thought it was nice. Feels a bit weird eating with your hands.

I eat with my hands anyway.

I only eat with my hands if I'm having chips.

After a busy day of lessons, Reagan and Saqlain have their first

dance rehearsal for the final challenge.

So, it's one, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

I thought, when I first walked in, it was going to be nice and calm,

but it was actually quite fast.

You had no time to think and you just had to go and do it.

Yes.

The pressure is on us,

because we've only got a couple of days to learn it.

The kids that we're doing it with, they've been doing it for ages.

OK, thank you.

Learning the moves is only half the performance and Ms Ishak

wants to work on their poems.

Give me some examples of your poetry.

I came to Singapore to explore.

I came to a school, because it was cool.

Because it was cool, all right. Second line.

I'm going to have to figure that out.

You got anything?

OK.

I'm feeling quite nervous about writing the poem.

Just trying to get the words in together

and making it make sense and then saying it in front of

a lot of people, so, yes, it's quite nerve-racking.

Back in Glasgow, the boys struggle with discipline at school,

so a lesson in Silat could help them focus.

You have to wear these.

Dating back to the 7th century, Silat describes various martial

arts practised in South East Asia.

Mr Shakia will be showing Reagan and Saqlain the ropes.

-Excuse me. What are you doing? Do you think this is funny?

-No.

Take it off right now and start wearing on your waist.

Reagan was wearing a headband which is disrespectful to our culture.

I don't want any nonsense from you guys. OK, understand?

The teacher is very strict.

I think I might listen to his rules and probably obey them.

HE CALLS OUT INSTRUCTIONS

ALL REPLY

Good. When I say, first, punch forward and back.

ALL: Huh!

And sprint.

Two, one.

And, huh!

ALL: Huh!

It's really, really tiring.

Push.

Elbow.

Side kick.

Yeah.

Very good.

Mr Mustaqim was right, that has disciplined us quite a bit.

HE SHOUTS INSTRUCTIONS ALL: Huh!

With a successful Silat session under their belts,

things are looking up,

but hawk-eyed Mr Mustaqim is conducting

a random uniform inspection.

Raise your trousers, your pants.

-Why are you still wearing white socks?

-I forgot.

-Yo.

-This is not black.

I told you on the first day,

-you have to wear black socks.

-I don't have any.

My black socks are dirty, so I'm not going to put on dirty socks.

You didn't follow the rules, you have to clean up the toilets.

-I'm not cleaning the toilet!

-Nah, not for socks, mate.

-OK, follow me now.

-I'm not cleaning toilets.

I'm going to use the toilet, I'm not cleaning the toilet.

Quiet. Don't talk back to me.

A bit annoyed why he's telling us to go and clean the toilet

just because we've got different colour socks than black.

This is for both of you.

Clean up the toilet.

And later, I'll do my inspection.

-Hold it.

-You hold it.

Yes.

Oh, it stinks in here.

I hope that they learn something from this punishment.

They have to stick to the school rules.

So, you know why you are here.

Because I'm wearing blue socks.

-You're supposed to wear...?

-Black.

I don't want to see any black stains.

If we'd just brought black socks neither of us would be here

so we should have stuck to the uniform rule.

HE SIGHS

-So, what have you learned?

-Don't break the rules.

Good, you may go to your class now.

Uniform transgressions flushed out, the boys return to class,

a technology lesson building robots.

As soon as this is finished,

-is it going to be a big moving contraption?

-Maybe.

Is it important to work hard in Singapore?

Yeah, for you to get a job, the education is really important.

I want to be a doctor or a pilot.

-Really?

-Yes.

Do you really work hard in school to be a doctor or a pilot?

No, I don't, that's why I'm here.

I'm very impressed with the school because they work hard.

I don't work hard.

The Singaporean students seem to have made an impression

on Saqlain, but will it rub off on Reagan at today's rehearsal?

THEY GIGGLE

Look, boys, your performance is in two days.

You have to be serious. OK?

You do start to feel the pressure aspect of it.

The nerves are getting to you now.

It's less than 48 hours until the final challenge

and their poems still aren't finished. Will they be ready?

A concerned Mr Isham has arranged for the boys to meet some people

he hopes will inspire them.

-Hi.

-Hi, Reagan. I'm Gary.

-Hi, Gary.

Sport is the only lesson Reagan rates at school.

He's meeting Gary Yeo, a 100-metre Olympic athlete

who competed in London 2012.

I'll show you some stats today and we can see how you go from here.

Your ankle must be tight like this.

So, set, go!

-Is it better now?

-Yes, that's better.

-Shall we do the 100 metres now?

-Yeah. Yeah.

Show me where to start the 100 metres.

-That's a start so feeling confident.

-Set.

Go!

You did it in 13.95. That's pretty good.

-You want to be a professional athlete?

-Yeah.

You can't just be a sport champion,

and not do well in your studies. You must do well in both.

Do you pay attention to all your teachers in school, in lessons?

I don't pay attention all the time, no.

You need to look up your teachers, you know,

treat them like your coaches.

They are basically your coaches for your mind.

I think you'll go far.

Meanwhile, Saqlain is off to flight school.

-Hi, you must be Saqlain.

-Yeah.

-My name is Leonard. I'm a pilot.

-I heard you wanted to be a pilot?

-I am very excited to be a pilot.

I have something you might enjoy. So, this way, please.

-Whoa.

-This is it.

This is a cockpit of a 737, so what do you think of it?

Oh, this is sick!

Used to train commercial pilots,

the simulator offers an immersive flight experience

and has over 24,000 airports to choose from.

So, Captain Saqlain where would you like to fly to today?

-New York.

-Off we go.

D1 rotate. Now, pull up,

and bring the nose up to 15 degrees.

That's very good.

Keep turning to the left.

This is very cool.

-Is that OK?

-That's OK.

There's two runways. We are heading to the one on the left, OK?

Very good.

Perfect. Now, 50, bring the power all the way back.

Keep your eyes on the runway

and gently raise up the nose for a gentle touchdown.

Very good.

Saqlain has a good chance to be a pilot

and just as long as he works hard in school, he has done very well.

So flaps to 30.

BEEPING

Being in the cockpit was really, really amazing for me.

It was a really good experience and it inspired me

even more to become a pilot.

Back at school, the boys catch up on their day.

After meeting Gary, it does show how much you do need to respect

your teachers and all that.

I know. I think I might change after this.

Yeah.

The rules are still really annoying,

but you can see why they are in place.

It seems their time in Singapore is encouraging them to focus

on their future, but will this change of heart help them

with their final challenge tomorrow?

It's Reagan and Saqlain's last day in Singapore.

Their final challenge is only hours away and they're still not ready.

THEY SING IN MALAY

I keep messing up the dance routine.

-Aye, I'm doing it, you're not.

-You keep hitting me.

I want to get this right. I don't want to let the school down.

Today, the school is putting on a concert to showcase

the students' talents and the theatre is filling fast.

OK, these are your costumes.

The boys have top billing and will be performing alongside

some of the school's most gifted pupils.

I'm a little bit nervous today.

This is a very important school performance.

I really hope they are able to do themselves proud.

If anything goes wrong it will be in front of some very important people.

-Hello, sir, how are you?

-How are you?

-Welcome to the school.

-Thank you very much.

-Come, please.

Antony Phillipson, the British High Commissioner to Singapore,

will be in a front-row seat alongside Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

Singaporean Minister in charge of Muslim Affairs.

Well, I'm looking forward to the boys' performance to see

whether they've understood what the school is doing

and show this in their performance.

They will remember this experience for the rest of their lives.

APPLAUSE

THEY SING

-Have you seen how many people are out there?

-No.

HE SINGS

APPLAUSE

It's show-time.

DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS

APPLAUSE

THEY SING IN MALAY

THEY SING IN MALAY

APPLAUSE

The dance is a hit, but the boys still need to finish

with their poems.

When I stepped off the plane I loved the views

The palm trees, the heat and the high-rise buildings

I learned to speak in Malay in only just one day

I love being at this school where you must respect the rule

The teachers and the pupils have been so kind to me

I would just like to thank them for putting up with me.

APPLAUSE

I came to Singapore and I wanted to explore

I went to Al-Irsyad School to learn to respect the rules

All the kids were kind so I really didn't mind

Silat was new to me and the challenge suited me

Thank you for this chance to learn the Indang dance.

APPLAUSE

I'm happy with that. Yes.

I'm proud of us too, because we put a lot of work into the rehearsals.

Boys, I'd like you to meet the High Commissioner.

-Hello. How are you?

-I'm fine. How are you?

I'm very well. Thank you very much indeed.

Are you going to do the dance for your friends back at school?

No! That is not going back to school.

I thought the boys' performance on stage was absolutely superb.

Doing something different, outside their comfort zone.

I thought it was brilliant.

-You did very well today.

-Thank you, sir.

-I'm very proud of you.

Today, they did a very fantastic job. Wow.

-Well done.

-Thank you for letting us come here.

-Thank you.

-Great.

CHEERING

At the beginning of the week, both Reagan and Saqlain were misbehaving.

But today, they really turned it around

and I'm very impressed with them.

Terima kasih.

What I've been taught here I can take that back to Glasgow

because my teachers really want to see a change in me.

-All the best to you.

-Thank you.

What I've learned about teachers is

they're not just there to shout at you and pick on you,

they're there so they can help you

and just get everything done in life.

Reagan and Saqlain are heading home.

Will their behaviour be any better back in Glasgow?

Join us in the final show when the boys find out

if they've done enough to graduate from extreme school.

Next time...

Take your elbows off of my desk.

..two girls from Essex who always misbehave...

-Come to my office.

-..head to the cold climes of Alaska.

They just made us shovel the whole pathway.

How will they cope at this extreme school?

I hate this school.