EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE.Compiled By: Big Ben.(CTIE)

Objectives• An overview on how the education system has developed

over time.• Education structure.• Core values• Vision of education• National goals of education• All round education system.• Projected outcomes in the life of the learner after each stage

of education.

University (3 - 4 years)

JC (2 years)Poly (3 years)

ITE (2 years)

Secondary School (4 - 5 years)

Primary School (6 years)

  (Winston 2012).

INTRODUCTION.

•This section shall provide in summary the educational system of Singapore, the vision of the ministry of education, an overview on the education system, national goals among others.

•The result of the specific war in 1945 had created severe social and economic dislocation for the people of Singapore. Although the British rulers reclaimed control of the trading port, the halo of British invincibility was totally shattered.

HOW THE SINGAPORE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS DEVELOPED OVERTIME.

The education system in Singapore is based on the British systems and puts a lot of emphasis on testing. The ranking of schools through standardized tests is to know how well students perform. Singapore students are known to excel in international tests in practical skills such as science and mathematics, this is as a result of the government’s emphasis on those areas.

By the end of the 1970s, social and economic indicators pointed to a rich and progressive Singapore in the midst of developing countries still battling with the problem of poverty.

• The Education system of Singapore believed that people are the only resource and these people have to exceptional if Singapore is to survive and prosper. The Government’s struggle on innovating and gearing education towards the latest needs of society and economic prosperity. Despite the criticism leveled against it for being regimented and test-oriented, the Singapore education system is quite creative. Singaporean teacher consistently rank high in teaching surveys and are commended for their innovative teaching methods.

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

LIFE SKILLSCCA, CME,

PCCG, NE, PE, Health Education3

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS

PW4

LANGUAGES English1

Mother Tongue

HUMANITIES & THE ARTS

Social Studies,

Art & crafts, Music

MATHEMATICS& SCIENCE

Mathematics

Science2

LEGEND CCA Co-Curricular

ActivitiesCME Civics & Moral

EducationPCCG Pastoral Care &

Career GuidanceNE National EducationPE Physical EducationPW Project Work  SUBJECTS TESTEDIN PSLE: Regular stream subjects:English, Mother Tongue,Mathematics, ScienceOptional:Higher Mother TongueEM3 subjects:Foundation EnglishBasic Mother TongueFoundation Mathematics 

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

LIFE SKILLS

CCA, CIP, CME, PCCG, NE, PE,

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS

PW1

LANGUAGESEnglish

Mother Tongue, Higher Mother Tongue, Mother Tongue Language ‘B’

3rd Language (Optional – French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Malay)

 HUMANITIES & THE ARTS MATHEMATICS

& SCIENCE

LEGEND CCA Co-Curricular

ActivitiesCIP Community

Involvement ProgrammeCME Civics & Moral

EducationPCCG Pastoral Care &

Career GuidanceNE National EducationPE Physical EducationPW Project Work  Students in the Special and

Express courses typically offer 7-8 subjects at the GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations.

Lower Sec subjects:Geography, History, Literature in English, Visual Arts, Music

Upper Sec subjects:Combined Humanities

Upper Sec electives:Geography, History, Literature in English, Literature in Chinese,

Malay Literature, TamilLiterature, Art & Design,

Music, Higher Art,Higher Music

Lower Sec subjects:Mathematics, Science, Design & Technology, Home Economics

Upper Sec subjects:Mathematics, a Science subjectUpper Sec electives:

Additional Mathematics,

Biology, Chemistry, Physics,Combined Science options,

Design and Technology,Food & Nutrition,Principles of Accounts

 THE “A” LEVEL SHOOL CURRICULUM.

China Studies English Language and

Linguistics

THE NATIONAL GOALS OF EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE. To develop intellectual depth and higher level thinking To nurture productive creativity To develop attitudes for self-directed lifelong learning To enhance aspirations for individual excellence and fulfilment To develop a strong social conscience and commitment to serve society and nation To develop moral values and qualities for responsible leadership.

THE CORE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE EDUCATIONAL GOALS.

AssessmentFormative and summative

ContentAims & objectives, content, skills & competencies, values & attitudes

Teaching StrategiesClassroom management, pedagogy, teaching & learning resources

Students’ Learning

Experiences

THE VISION OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE.

• . The vision of the ministry of education in Singapore is “Thinking Schools, Learning Nation”.

THE EDUCATION COMMISION.

SINGAPORE’S EDUCATION

SYSTEM AS ALL ROUND

LEARNING.

• Character Development•Self-Management Skills•Social and Cooperative Skills•Literacy and Numeracy•Communication Skills• Information Skills•Thinking Skills and Creativity•Knowledge Application Skills

REFORMS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF SINGAPORE.

 In announcing a new government policy called Thinking Schools in 1997, the Singapore Minister of Education said, “We cannot produce adaptable, innovative and creative students unless we have adaptable, innovative and creative teachers and schools.”

Singapore has also made extensive use of international benchmarking as a tool for improvement and to move up the educational value chain. Staff of the ministry, other support bodies, and the schools all visit other systems and explore international best practice.

• Reports of high rankings by Singaporean students on international tests were first published around the same time as low growth forecasts for the Singaporean economy. Many people including Prime Minister, began pushing for education reforms that included less memorization and rote learning and more creativity and the addition of more art classes, outdoor outing and clubs

THE PROJECTED OUTCOMES OF THE SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL CURRICULUM.

At the end of primary

education, students

At the end of

secondary education,

students

At the end of pre-

university education,

students

are able to

distinguish right from

wrong

have moral integrity are resilient and

resolute

have learnt to share

and put others first

have care and concern

for others

have a sound sense of

social responsibility

are able to build

friendships with others

are able to work in teams

and value every

contribution

understand what it takes

to inspire and motivate

others

have a lively curiosity

about things

are enterprising and innovative have an entrepreneurial

and creative spirit

are able to think for and

express themselves

possess a broad-based

foundation for further

education

are able to think

independently and

creatively

take pride in their work believe in their ability strive for excellence

have cultivated healthy

habits

have an appreciation of

aesthetics

have a zest for life

love Singapore know and believe in

Singapore

understand what it takes

to lead Singapore

CONCLUSION.• The Ministry of Education is always ensuring that there is a balance in curriculum in a way that the curriculum addresses needs of the present time.

• Singapore’s national curriculum will continue to provide students with a strong foundation in the core areas of literacy, numeracy and scientific literacy as these core areas provide the foundation for future learning. The study of the humanities will be reinforced as the humanities have the value in developing students’ ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives, as well as nurture cultural sensitivities and civic awareness.

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Thank you.