singapore’s education system by dewayne wammack arkansas state university spring 2010

Singapores Education System By Dewayne Wammack Arkansas State University Spring 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

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 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

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 Age total: 39 years male: 38.5 years female: 39.4 years (2009 est.) Ethnic Groups Chinese 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) 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

Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write General 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 Expenditures 3.7% of GDP (2001) Military Service Age and Obligation 18-21 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 Expenditures 4.9% 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 Force agriculture: 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 2Kindergarten 1Nursery 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

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 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: (3 years of Age) Not compulsory but taken by most Run by private organization Orientate children from home to school Develop childrens 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 1Kindergarten 2 Continued with goals established in Kindergarten 1 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

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. 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

Ministry of Education Government Expenditure on Education (in million SGD) 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 Recurrent4975 5215 6352 6786 7486 Primary 1071 1126 1290 1497 1561 Secondary1276 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 Ministry of Education Singapore. Retrieved March 26,2010 from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/ http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/

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

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

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 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

Grading scale of the PSLE Grading system 91 and aboveA*80 and aboveDistinction 75 90A65 79Merit 60 74B50 64Pass 50 59CBelow 50Ungraded 35 49D 20 34E Below 20F 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

Secondary: Four groups Secondary School Normal Academic Normal Technical ExpressSpecial 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 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

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

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 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

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 JCs 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 JCs can run as high as $300 per month Scholarships offered to offset the cost of independent JCs 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

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 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

Subject Streams Science and Mathematics Arts and Humanities 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

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

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

Master Plan III 2009 2014 Strengthen integration of ICT into curriculum pedagogy and assessment to enhance learning and develop competencies for the 21 st 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 Ministry of Education Singapore. Retrieved March 26,2010 from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/ http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/

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?

References 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/geos/sn.html#top 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 Ministry of Education Singapore. Retrieved March 26,2010 from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/ http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/ Ministry of Education Singapore. Retrieved March 26, 2010 from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/primary/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-educationhttp://www.nationmaster.com/country/sn- singapore/edu-education

singapore’s education system by dewayne wammack arkansas state university spring 2010

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