EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE

Meeting the Needs of a Young Nation

Providing a place for every child
- more schools were built

Building national loyalty
- daily flag-raising
- pledge-taking ceremony

Fostering social cohesion
- textbooks loaned to needy pupils
- common examination
- integrated school system
- bilingualism was made compulsory
- emphasis on the importance of uniformed groups
- extra-curricular activities

Preparing for economic development
- moving away from entrepot trade to manufacturing
- introduction of technical education
- Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Technical College expansion
- Engineering courses were introduced

Improving the Quality of Education

Streaming
- to prevent education wastage
- gifted education program

Teaching moral values
- moral education program introduced
- religious knowledge removed from syllabus
- emphasis on shared values

Encouraging creativity
- schools were given more autonomy
- double-session schools were converted to single-session
- establishment of independent schools
- establishment of autonomous schools

Preparing for the Challenges of the 21st Century

Promoting Critical and Creative Thinking
- Project work

Using Information Technology
- In teaching and learning

Introducing National Education
- Maintenance of social cohesion
- Introduction of Community Involvement Programs

Developing Talents
- Special elective programs in secondary schools and junior colleges

Compulsory Primary Education
- With effect from 2003