Education

Singapore is recognised as one of the best educational hubs in Southeast Asia, with an education system which nurtures a quest for lifelong learning.

With its foundations laid on the British GCSE and GCE examination systems, Singapore’s school system has since evolved to meet the nation’s specific needs. It has also become a learning system that others commend and emulate. In the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2008/2009, Singapore ranked 2nd in the world for the quality of its educational system.

It is compulsory for all Singaporeans to complete six years of the foundation and orientation stage of primary school education. Students move on to secondary school education upon passing the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

Secondary school education generally spans across four to five years, with students streamed according to their PSLE results into the Normal, Express or Special stream. This allows them to develop at their own learning pace. Secondary school students proceed to post-secondary education and to higher learning institutions once they pass their GCE ‘O’ level examinations

Singapore’s higher learning institutions, which are heavily involved in global-oriented programmes, have produced skilled and adaptable professionals sought after worldwide. Singapore’s public universities have earned strong global standings. In the World University Rankings 2010, for example, Times Higher Education placed NUS among the top 100 universities in the world. In the QS.com Asian University Rankings 2009, NTU is ranked 14th position overall, and in 7th position for the IT & Engineering subject ranking in Asia.

What's behind the school's achievement: Improved provision of career opportunities for its full-time MBA graduates, and a better alumni network.

As Singapore continues to draw world-class universities to set up branches here, all these efforts support its plan to become a Global Schoolhouse, an initiative launched in 2002 to build the Singapore Education brand name. Today, the city is home to 16 leading foreign tertiary institutions and 44 pre-tertiary schools offering international curricula.

Its higher learning institutions, which are heavily involved in global-oriented programmes, have produced skilled and adaptable professionals sought after worldwide. Singapore’s public universities have earned strong global standings.

Images courtesy of Yoursingapore

Synchronise Your Steps - Now!
Primary School pupils practice for their dance piece for opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Games

Learning Science Through Puppet Play
Pupils learn science with the help of a puppet at Mrs Chia-Kay's classes in Casuarina Primary School

Skype sessions let pupils learn together with friends from California
Global Learning exchange (pupils are exposed to new cultures) which give students confidence in speaking with native English speakers

Getting e-animated with YOG
Introduce aspects of Youth Olympic Games to pupils

Dabbling in Digital Arts
Digital Media/3D animation which helps pupils apply critical thinking and analytical skills

Promoting a healthy lifestyle through STARRS
Done through interesting activities like inline skating, tchoukball and chambara at Yuying Secondary School