Singapore’s Education System

Ministry of Education, Singapore

The Education System

• Aims to help Singapore’s students to discover their own talents, to make the best of these talents and realise their full potential, and to develop a passion for learning that lasts through life.

• Also, it expects that when students graduate, they should be morally upright, be culturally rooted yet understanding and respecting differences, be responsible to family, community and country.

The Education System

• Compulsory education of 10 years

• Child of above 6 years old has to attend school.

• Parent/guardian of the child will be charged if the child is consistently absent from school.

The Singapore Education Landscape

System of System of TTeachingeaching

Singapore believes that both academic Singapore believes that both academic and sports must be balanced.and sports must be balanced.

Schools have broadened the time for Schools have broadened the time for students to have more time for their Co-students to have more time for their Co-Curricular Activities.Curricular Activities.

Most of the primary schools in Singapore Most of the primary schools in Singapore have morning sessions.have morning sessions.

All secondary schools start lessons in the All secondary schools start lessons in the morning.morning.

Use of Technology in SchoolsUse of Technology in Schools

MOE encourages schools to use MOE encourages schools to use technologies technologies

Using of technologies allow students to Using of technologies allow students to understand the topics of the subject more understand the topics of the subject more clearly and easierclearly and easier

Teachers can use technologies to teach Teachers can use technologies to teach more efficiently and effectively.more efficiently and effectively.

- Eg. Teachers can prepare in advance on - Eg. Teachers can prepare in advance on what they have to teach.what they have to teach.

Use of Technology in SchoolsUse of Technology in Schools

Some of the examples are:Some of the examples are: Shuqun Primary School- PShuqun Primary School- Pupils (starting with all upils (starting with all

P4 in 2006) use appropriate technologies (such P4 in 2006) use appropriate technologies (such as dataloggers, PDAs, tablet PCs, mindmaps, as dataloggers, PDAs, tablet PCs, mindmaps, podcasting, wireless portal) in experiential podcasting, wireless portal) in experiential learning trails to complement the various modes learning trails to complement the various modes of learning (such as data collection, information of learning (such as data collection, information gathering, knowledge creation and gathering, knowledge creation and representation) and help pupils learn more representation) and help pupils learn more effectively. effectively.

Use of Technology in SchoolsUse of Technology in Schools

Dunman High- Pupils useDunman High- Pupils use Tablet PC Tablet PCss llinking applications for Mathematics, inking applications for Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities and Design English, Science, Humanities and Design and Technology for all Secondary 1 pupils. and Technology for all Secondary 1 pupils.

Victoria Junior CollegeVictoria Junior College-- Pupils usePupils use online online gaming to facilitate teaching of General gaming to facilitate teaching of General Paper, H3 chemistry and integrated Paper, H3 chemistry and integrated programme electives with 20% of all pupils programme electives with 20% of all pupils in the first year.in the first year.

ExaminationsExaminations Singapore takes its examinations very strictly.Singapore takes its examinations very strictly. Students have to take the Primary School Students have to take the Primary School

Leaving Examinations (PSLE) before getting into Leaving Examinations (PSLE) before getting into secondary school.secondary school.

In secondary schools, students may take ‘N’ In secondary schools, students may take ‘N’ Level and ‘O’ Level Examinations.Level and ‘O’ Level Examinations.

In Junior Colleges, students will take the ‘A’ In Junior Colleges, students will take the ‘A’ Level Examinations before getting into Level Examinations before getting into Universities.Universities.

However, students must pass each examination However, students must pass each examination before getting into next institution.before getting into next institution.

Outcomes of Education:Outcomes of Education:Singapore’s BeliefSingapore’s Belief

““An educated person is one responsible to An educated person is one responsible to himself, his family, and his friends.” himself, his family, and his friends.”

““An educated person is also someone who An educated person is also someone who is responsible to his community and is responsible to his community and country.”country.”

Outcomes of Education:Outcomes of Education:PrimaryPrimary

At the end of primary At the end of primary school, pupils should:school, pupils should:

SecondarySecondaryAt the end of secondary At the end of secondary school, students should:school, students should:

Junior CollegeJunior CollegeAt the end of junior At the end of junior

college, students should:college, students should:

be able to distinguish right be able to distinguish right from wrongfrom wrong

have moral integrityhave moral integrity be resilient and resolutebe resilient and resolute

have learnt to share and put have learnt to share and put others firstothers first

have care and concern for have care and concern for othersothers

have a sound sense of social have a sound sense of social responsibilityresponsibility

be able to build friendships be able to build friendships with otherswith others

be able to work in teams and be able to work in teams and value every contributionvalue every contribution

understand what it takes to understand what it takes to inspire and motivate othersinspire and motivate others

have a lively curiosity about have a lively curiosity about thingsthings

be enterprising and be enterprising and innovativeinnovative

have an entrepreneurial and have an entrepreneurial and creative spiritcreative spirit

be able to think for and be able to think for and express themselvesexpress themselves

possess a broad-based possess a broad-based foundation for further foundation for further educationeducation

be able to think be able to think independently and creativelyindependently and creatively

take pride in their worktake pride in their work believe in their abilitybelieve in their ability strive for excellencestrive for excellence

have cultivated healthy have cultivated healthy habitshabits

have an appreciation for have an appreciation for aestheticsaesthetics

have a zest for lifehave a zest for life

love Singaporelove Singaporeknow and believe in know and believe in SingaporeSingapore

understand what it takes to understand what it takes to lead Singaporelead Singapore

Education system in Norway

Introduction

• The school year in Norway starts from August to June the next year.

• The Christmas holiday from December to January divides the Norwegian school year into two terms.

Technology Applications to Teaching

• In 1984, Norway had already integrated computers into teaching.

• This is to open up new ways of teaching,

• as well as improving the efficiency of learning.

GradingElementary school. Age 6-13.

Lower Secondary. Age 13-16.

Higher Secondary. Age 16-19

Universities Private School

Studying Environment

• Norway has a good study environment which can be attributed to its high level of development.

• Universities has modern laboratories, well equipped computer lab and skilled staff.

System of teaching• During elementary schools,

students are not so stressed up with homework or tests. They have work to do but they are not graded.

• However in secondary schools, they will be graded

• Schools not only convey knowledge, they also convey their rich culture.

• Minorities will not be neglected. Teachers will also tend to the language of the minorities.

Education System in China

System of Teaching

• Full-day lesson before entering university• Blackboards and chalks are uesd in teaching• Having art, PE, music lesson to extend the learning

areas• Social activities (CCA but not compulsory)• Large amount of homework• No uniform required for school days• 10 minutes break after 45 minutes lesson• 2 hours rest in between the morning and afternoon lesso

ns• Graduating students will have extra lessons after school

Studying Environment

• Air-conditioners and fans are available for level 2 and above schools

• Tracks, fields, and basketball courts are built

• Computer lab and science lab are also readily available

• Black boards and chalks are used in classrooms

• High pressure of competition from students from other provinces and cities

Using of Technology• Computer lab is available for

primary, secondary and senior high school

• Basic equipments and facilities are in place for science subjects in primary and secondary schools

• Higher standard equipments and facilities are available in senior high school

• Due to the uneven development of different areas, some of the countryside school may not have the basic facilities and equipments

Examination• Standard examination held by government for graduating students

from primary school within a city• Zhongkao中考 (O’level) is held by city government once a year for

graduating students from secondary school• Gaokao高考 (A’level) is held nationally by the government once a

year for graduating students from senior high school to pursue study in university

• Student who has the Zhongkao result can choose to go technical secondary school or senior high school

• It is compulsory for children to have 9 years education untill they take the Zhongkao

• Students from the places which have poor education condition will be given a lower requirement of marks of Gaokao when they go university

Uneven Education Condition

• Uneven development in China• Advance education condition i

n cities• Poor education condition in rur

al areas• People live in rural areas could

not support their child to study in city due to the high standard of living

• However, students live in rural areas are given lower requirement of marks to enter the university

Level/Grade Typical age

Various optional programs, such as Head Start

Under 6

Pre-Kindergarten 4-5

Kindergarten 5-6

1st Grade 6-7

2nd Grade 7-8

3rd Grade 8-9

4th Grade 9-10

5th Grade 10-11

6th Grade 11-12

7th Grade 12-13

8th Grade 13-14

9th Grade (Freshman) 14-15

10th Grade (Sophomore) 15-16

11th Grade (Junior) 16-17

12th Grade (Senior) 17-18

Tertiary Education Ages vary (usually 4 years; copies aforementioned 4 levels)

OverviewOverview

Attendance is compulsoryAttendance is compulsory Age for compulsory education vary Age for compulsory education vary

by stateby statess Starts from 5 to 8, ends at 14 to 18Starts from 5 to 8, ends at 14 to 18 Increasing no. of states require Increasing no. of states require

attendance until 18attendance until 18

CurriculumCurriculum

Usually start from kindergarten (5-6 Usually start from kindergarten (5-6 years old); ends at 12years old); ends at 12thth grade (18 grade (18 years old)years old)

Most parents send their children to Most parents send their children to public (approx. 85%) or private public (approx. 85%) or private schoolsschools Largely due to tax burdensLargely due to tax burdens

1.7% of students are home-schooled1.7% of students are home-schooled

Curricula – Senior High a.k.a. Curricula – Senior High a.k.a. High SchoolHigh School

Students are to choose offered classes, Students are to choose offered classes, with no specific emphasis on any with no specific emphasis on any subjectssubjects

Offered classes include: Offered classes include: Science, Science, Mathematics , English, Social Science, Mathematics , English, Social Science, Physical educationPhysical education

Other subjects include a health courseOther subjects include a health course Foreign language and arts are Foreign language and arts are

compulsory in some schools compulsory in some schools

Curricula – Senior High Curricula – Senior High a.k.a. High Schoola.k.a. High School

ElectivesElectives’ availability depends on ’ availability depends on schools’ financial resources and schools’ financial resources and desired curriculum emphasesdesired curriculum emphases Include: Visual Arts, Performing arts, Include: Visual Arts, Performing arts,

Technology education, Computers, Technology education, Computers, Athletics, Publishing, Foreign languages, Athletics, Publishing, Foreign languages, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training CorpsJunior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

Curricula – Senior High Curricula – Senior High a.k.a. High Schoola.k.a. High School

Advanced CoursesAdvanced Courses Offered by many high schools as Offered by many high schools as

Advanced Placement (AP) or International Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) coursesBaccalaureate (IB) courses

Special form of honors classesSpecial form of honors classes Curriculum is tougher and more fast-Curriculum is tougher and more fast-

pacedpaced Taken during 11Taken during 11thth and 12 and 12thth Grade Grade AP/IB results are taken into consideration AP/IB results are taken into consideration

by many post-secondary institutionsby many post-secondary institutions

Curricula – Home SchoolingCurricula – Home Schooling

ParentsParents select moral/religious select moral/religious reasons for home schoolingreasons for home schooling

““Unschooling” follows a non-standard Unschooling” follows a non-standard way of teachingway of teaching

Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities

High priority given to sports and High priority given to sports and social activities with the communitysocial activities with the community

Are educational activities that are not Are educational activities that are not in the regular curriculum but in the regular curriculum but supervised by schoolsupervised by school

Programs available to students are Programs available to students are athletic/non-athleticathletic/non-athletic Football; BasketballFootball; Basketball Debate; Marching bandsDebate; Marching bands

Sports and other related Sports and other related programsprograms

Are major events of American Are major events of American schoolsschools

May be a source of funds for larger May be a source of funds for larger schoolsschools

High school sporting competitions High school sporting competitions generate immense interestgenerate immense interest Scouts from colleges and professional Scouts from colleges and professional

coaches attend to seek out talentscoaches attend to seek out talents

Technology in schoolsTechnology in schools

At college level,At college level, Have wireless networksHave wireless networks Students each own a laptopStudents each own a laptop Have high-speed computer labsHave high-speed computer labs

Although 98% of schools have access Although 98% of schools have access to the Internet in 2000, students are to the Internet in 2000, students are often not able to use them.often not able to use them.

Main problem? Access.Main problem? Access.

Testing/examinationsTesting/examinations

Tests are compulsory for all students Tests are compulsory for all students under the No Child Left Behind Act under the No Child Left Behind Act (2001)(2001)

Students take one or more Students take one or more standardized tests in their academic standardized tests in their academic yearyear E.g. SAT/ACTE.g. SAT/ACT

No Child Left Behind ActNo Child Left Behind Act Signed into law on January 8, 2002Signed into law on January 8, 2002 Seeks to ensure progress in all students Seeks to ensure progress in all students

academically, especially for the disadvantagedacademically, especially for the disadvantaged Progress is marked against Adequate Yearly Progress is marked against Adequate Yearly

Progress (AYP) with standardized testsProgress (AYP) with standardized tests E.g. A student must perform better in the next E.g. A student must perform better in the next

academic year. If not, tutoring or transfer to other academic year. If not, tutoring or transfer to other schools is consideredschools is considered

Emphasizes onEmphasizes on Quality of educationQuality of education FundingFunding Attention to minority populationAttention to minority population Improvements in test scoresImprovements in test scores

Acknowledgements:

• www.moe.gov.sg• www.yahoo.com/images/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Norway• http://www.questia.com/

googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=JyyGdXJchK0nLT2L45Jv4zNr8n9NSgr1rBDvkjQVppsXZxyLzN2s!1581392994!-1528151484?docId=5000128923

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States#Control

• Education by Christina Wood• No Child Left Behind Act (U.S. Department of Education)

The question: The question: (no word limit)(no word limit)

Do you agree that Do you agree that Singapore provides the best Singapore provides the best education system for her education system for her students?students?