Singapore’s Education System

Singapore’s Education System

By

Dewayne Wammack

Arkansas State UniversitySpring 2010

Flag and Location

CIA – The World Fact book – Singapore. n.d. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html#top

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/flagtemplate_sn.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/maps/maptemplate_sn.html

Facts Island between Malaysia and Indonesia Population

4,657,542 (July 2009 est.) Area of Island is 697 Kilometers Slightly 3.5 times larger than Washington D. C. Climate

Tropical Two Distinct Monsoon Seasons

Northeastern Monsoon (December to March) Southwestern Monsoon (June to September)

Natural Resources Fish Deepwater Ports


• Age Structure 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050)15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415)65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2009 est.)

• Median Agetotal: 39 yearsmale: 38.5 yearsfemale: 39.4 years (2009 est.)

Ethnic GroupsChinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Religions

Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)

Languages Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%,

Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)


Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and writeGeneral Literacy rates (15 years and over) (2002): 93.7%male: 96.6%female: 88.6% (2000 census)Literacy in two or more languages: 56%

Education Expenditures3.7% of GDP (2001)

Military Service Age and Obligation18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008)

Military Expenditures4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

CIA – The World Fact book – Singapore. n.d. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html#top

GDP$50,300 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 8

Labor Forceagriculture: 23.8%industry: 23.8%services: 76.2% (2008)

CIA – The World Fact book – Singapore. n.d. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/

sn.html#top

History of Singapore

Founded as a trading post in 1819

Made a Crown colony of Britain in 1946

Attained full internal self-government 1959. Parliamentary System

1963 joined Malaya, Sabah (North Borneo), and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia. It withdrew from the federation on Aug. 9, 1965, and a month later proclaimed itself a republic. Malaysia released them from the Federation.

Developed into one of the cleanest, safest, and most economically prosperous cities in Asia.

Very strict civil obedience rules (has endured strict criticism)

(http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107963.html)

Education Levels in Singapore

Pre-School Non-

Compulsory

Kindergarten

Childcare System

Education: Key to Our Future – Singapore. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01348/academic.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01348/academic.html

Kindergarten 2

Kindergarten 1

Nursery



Pre-School Goals

To develop the young child wholly.

Equip children with communication skills and teach them how to interact with others.

Be easily accessible to parents all over Singapore. One near every residential housing area Parents do not have to travel far to transport child



Kindergarten: (3 years of Age) Not compulsory but taken by most

• Run by private organization• Orientate children from home to school• Develop children’s interest in learning• Develop social skills• Basic school fee

Nursery

• Operated by private organization• Foster ability to think and learn• Basic language foundation in English and Mother

Language• Moral education: differentiate between right and wrong• Foster Curiosity; Hands-on learning for psychomotor

Kindergarten 1

Kindergarten 2 Continued with goals established in Kindergarten 1



Childcare System: Ages 2 to 7 Cares for children while parents are at work Does not have to register with the Ministry of Education as Kindergartens are required Regulated by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth, and Sports. Must register with

the Ministry. A fee is charged to the parents. Over 600 in Singapore Goals:

Care for children Provide adequate playtime and study time for children Allow children to adjust to demands of school life Provide an enriching experience: expand creativity and imagination of the child.



Ministry of Education Government Expenditure on Education (in million SGD)

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 Recurrent 4975 5215 6352 6786 7486 Primary 1071 1126 1290 1497 1561 Secondary 1276 1328 1562 1781 1870 Pre-University 227 238 271 341 344 ITE 191 204 249 254 275 Polytechnics 594 623 729 817 932 NIE 73 85 100 102 113 Universities 1030 1058 1719 1491 1822 Development 1239 867 608 742 760

Government Recurrent Expenditure on Education Per Student (in SGD) Primary 3575 3820 4243 5026 5306 Secondary 5746 5793 6246 7230 7456 Pre-University 8850 9445 10161 12386 12066 ITE 9399 9249 10209 10543 10834 Polytechnics 10695 10843 11903 12482 13260 Universities 17609 17793 18472 19011 20284

Ministry of Education – Singapore. Retrieved March 26,2010 from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/

National Education Taught to develop pride and nationhood in the students Install six core values (six messages)

Singapore is our homeland; this is where we belong

We must preserve racial and religious harmony

We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility

No one owes Singapore a living

We must ourselves defend Singapore

We have confidence in our future



Non Academic Pursuits

Holistic Education – creating well-rounded future Singaporeans to compete and survive in the modern world

Morally and Socially responsible

All schools teach Character and Moral education



Primary Education

Compulsory education begins in Primary. All students required to attend six years of education. (Core 6 years of education – Ages 6 to 15)

131 Government owned and 45 Government aided Primary schools Located near residential areas Years 1 through 4: Foundation education

Communication and foundation for mathematical calculations Years 5 and 6: Orientation

Bridge gap between foundation stage and secondary education system. All students take Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Results of the exam will post students to secondary schools of their choice Primary 1 and 2 have seen a reduction in class size from 40 to 30 students. Streaming exercise

All students (except gifted) take a series of test to determine the stream they will be moved into in secondary school.



Gifted Education Programs In Primary 3 students can take a Screen test for Gifted Education placement. In Primary 4 students take the selection test which is made up of an English paper, math paper

and a General abilities paper. Gifted Education Programs serve students from Primary 4 to Secondary 4. 9 Gifted Education Programs in Singapore. Smaller class size (25 per class) Enriched curriculum Extra subjects beyond the regular student requirements

Social Studies: Compulsory in GEP classes. Must pass in order to move to Secondary GEP program. Independent Study Option

Compulsory Primary 4: Undergo training in various aspects (Research skills, Library skills, Interview and survey skills

and science experiment skills) Primary 5 and 6: Research project



Grading scale of the PSLE

Grading system91 and above A* 80 and above Distinction75 – 90 A 65 – 79 Merit60 – 74 B 50 – 64 Pass50 – 59 C Below 50 Ungraded35 – 49 D20 – 34 EBelow 20 F



Secondary: Four groups

Secondary School

Normal Academic

Normal TechnicalExpress

Special

Four years Lead up to a Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education – Ordinary ‘O’ Level Exam

Four years lead up to a Singapore-Cambridge GCE - Normal ‘N’ Level exam with a possible fifth year followed by an Ordinary ‘O’ Level exam.

Mother language taught at a higher level in Special group compared to express group.

Normal technical group offer more technical courses than normal academic group

Students required to take co-curricular activities CCA. Graded with other achievements. LEAPS – Leadership, enrichment, achievement, participation, sevice

Specialization begins in Secondary school.

Grading system according to Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level examination



Special Education Can be exempt from having to attend school under compulsory education

Twenty special education programs in Singapore. Managed by Volunteer welfare organization receiving money from the Ministry of

Education.

Depending on the severity of the condition, a student can be mainstreamed in with the regular students.

The general mission of SPED schools is to provide the best possible education and training to children with special needs so as to enable them to function optimally and integrate well into society.



People First Language Labels Not to Use People First Language

================== ======================The handicapped or disabled People with disabilities

He is autistic/he suffers from autism He has autism

She is learning disabled She has a learning disability

He is mentally retarded He has a cognitive impairment

She suffers from a birth defect She has a congenital disability

He's crippled He has a physical impairment

She needs handicapped parking She needs accessible parking

She has a problem with She has a need for

They are disabled They have special needs

Normal or healthy kids Typical kids

Pre-Universities

Prepares for further education after secondary school

Must take part in Singapore-Cambridge General Certification of Education advanced level GCE ‘A’ Level

Prestigious qualification

Assists in finding suitable University of students choice.

Junior colleges and Centralized Institutes



Junior Colleges 1965 – created to broaden skills of those wanting to enter 1969 – first Junior college established in Singapore Provides most direct route to University Seventeen JC’s in Singapore Two year education preparing for GCE ‘A’ Level Exam as well as entrance to University Focus both intellectual and mental discipline which promotes independent and self-directed learners. Receive GCE ‘A’ Level certificate – recognized by Universities all over the world Students select courses to work toward specialization Students must obtain less than 20 points in their L1R5 during GCE ‘O’ Level examinations Not easy to achieve results needed to enter JC Students pay a subsidized fee of $6.00 per month and miscellaneous fee between $9 and $22 per

month. Independent JC’s can run as high as $300 per month

Scholarships offered to offset the cost of independent JC’s



Centralized Institutes

Similar to Junior Colleges Allows three years instead of two to complete. (slows down process) Only one in Singapore Only Pre-University to offer a commerce course: two subjects

Principles of Accounting Management of Business

L1R4 must be less than 20. Easier to achieve than the score for Junior college



Subject Streams

Science and MathematicsArts and Humanities



Master Plan (Three Installments) Master Plan I

1997 – 2002 Enhance Linkages between the school and the world around it. Encourage creative thinking and lifelong learning Encourage innovative processes in education Promote administrative and management excellence in education

All students need access to computers.Students will have hands-on computer use for 30% of the curriculum time by 2002.

Ranked second in the world behind Finland in internet access in schools (2002)




Master Plan II 2003 – 2008

Move from supporting current curriculum to designing curriculum taking in account the new teaching methods possible through technology.

Move from teacher-centered to pupil-centered strategy for learning

Schools will have greater autonomy and flexibility in the use of funds for IT.



Master Plan III 2009 – 2014 Strengthen integration of ICT into curriculum pedagogy and assessment to enhance learning and develop

competencies for the 21st century Provide differentiated professional development that is more practice based and models how ICT can be

effectively used to help students learn. Improve sharing of best practices and successful innovations Enhance ICT provisions in schools to support the implementation of Master Plan III

Goals Strengthen competencies for self-directed learning Tailor learning experiences according to the way that each student learns best Encourage students to go deeper and advance their learning Learn anywhere



Issues The effect non-coed schools have on the students.

Creating schools for the elitist. (Streaming according to the test in Primary)

Do the positive results outweigh the negative consequences of the these methods?

ReferencesCIA – The World Fact book – Singapore. n.d. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from




Ministry of Education – Singapore. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/

NationMaster - Singapore Education statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2010, from http://www.nationmaster.com/country/sn-singapore/edu-education





http://www.nationmaster.com/country/sn-singapore/edu-education

Singapore’s Education System

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