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Educational System of Singapore[edit | edit source]
Educational System of Singapore[edit | edit source]
Singapore has been making performances and outputs from international standardised evaluations like Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS). The latest achievement was when Singapore has come out rank number 1 in Asia and second among 111 non-native speakers countries and regions in a recent proficiency in English language. The survey was done by EF Education First, a Swedish Education Company, on the SET English tests in 2021 which were taken by around 2.1 millions non-native English speakers. The complete list is found in EF English Proficiency index (EF EPI) 2022. This can be linked to how effective, (Hogan, 2014) integrated and coherent the educational system is in Singapore. Singapore had revolutionised its education system to push for their programs such as "Teach Less, Learn More", which was created last 2004, and "Learn for Life" program which was formed last 2018. The educational system of this country is highly-centralised, which means almost all the decisions that are educational-related must go through the approval their Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education is a government entity that "sets course syllabi, conducts national examination, oversees teacher credentials, manages the teacher and student evaluation, and even has a hand in hiring and assigning principals and teachers across Singapore". The ministry is so "hands-on" in schools across the board: preschool, primary, secondary and post-secondary programs. The ministry is the one overseeing the development of the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum must promote the "Desired outcomes of Education" such as life skills, knowledge skills and subject-discipline skills.
Educational Structures[edit | edit source]
a) Preschool[edit | edit source]
Singaporean kids ages 3 - 6 year olds are entitled to study preschool. Year 2013, Singapore created Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). This agency was created to oversee all early childhood education. To make sure that all private centres are doing their mandate, they should be accredited by Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK). Mainly, this level of education is for building confidence, learning social skills, developing a good foundation in literacy and numeracy.
b) Primary[edit | edit source]
All Singapore citizens born after January 1996 and living in Singapore must attend a national primary school unless an exemption as granted. Primary education is for six years, where the first four years, all students take common subjects and during their 5 - 6 years, students will be separated into groups Foundation or Standard levels. In primary education, students must take coding plus 10 subjects areas such as English, Mother tongue, Language, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, Character and Citizenship education.
c) Secondary[edit | edit source]
In this level, students, parents and teachers must agree first which strand of learning to take plus the students' Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scores. Students have three optional strands such as Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal Technical. The strand or path of learning must fit to student's strengths and interests. Students who are in Normal (Academic) and express paths are required to take English, Mother tongue, Mathematics, Science and Humanities. While the Technical students will take English, Mother tongue, Mathematics, Computer applications and Social Studies. Electives are also available for all the paths of education. Specialised Independent Schools for Arts, Sports, and Mathematics and Science can be also the paths of learning in Secondary students.
d) Post Secondary[edit | edit source]
Basically, student's General Certificate exams (results) are considered in this level. Then, students can stay two more additional years, A-levels in an integrated program. Or they may take 3 - year diploma programs in Polytechnic, Technical or Vocational programs in Technical Education (ITE), or 2 - 3 years for pre-university education in Junior colleges, or Polytechnic Foundation and small set of Arts Institution.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
To assure the implementation and improvement of the in-placed plans, the ministry is always doing a regular widespread discussion with partners in the system. Last 2013, Singapore held a National Conversation in order to gather inputs on a vision for 2030 education system strategic plans. During this gathering, strategies were discussed such as "to improve character and citizenship education; strengthen the digital literacy; build more knowledge and understanding on cultures around Asia; and expand support for disadvantaged students". Moreover, to ensure the smooth flow of education in Singapore, the Ministry of Education created learning support groups and organisations. There are Allied Educators, Circle of Friends and Facing Your Fears which facilitate the mentoring and assistance to students with special needs. Student Learning Space (SLS) was also created to provide library of curriculum with different ministry-curated resources (lesson plans, videos, assessments) for all grade levels and subjects. Another thing is the creation of Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). This ministry provides grants or financial-assistance schemes to low and moderate income families. It is also providing long-term assistance for care and school-related expenses for children of disabled parents. Radcliffe (2022) said that “education tends to raise productivity and creativity, as well as stimulates entrepreneurship and technological breakthroughs”. In a nutshell, the Ministry of Education is trying to do its main thrust that is "moulding the future our nation".
References:[edit | edit source]
Hogan, D (2014, February 11). Why is Singapore's School System so Successful, and is it a Model for the West?". The Conversation.
Ministry of Education. Singaporean Government Agency Website.
National Centre on Education and the Economy. Top-Performing Countries.
Radcliffe, B (2022, June 03). How Education and Training Affect the Economy. Economy: Investopedia.
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/education-training-advantages.asp