The Singapore Education System
Holistic Education wanted. Well-rounded skills with strong character qualities required to succeed in the 21st century
The Singapore public education system is widely recognized to be one of the best in the world. To prepare each child to be able to thrive in a future driven by globalization and technological advancement, the Ministry of Education (MOE) aims to develop in each child 21stcentury competencies so that he/she is equipped with skills to navigate a fast-changing world.
Starting from primary school, the national curriculum, shown in the diagram below, aims to provide students with a strong foundation to excel in the real world – this includes developing language and numeracy skills, building character and nurturing sound values and good habits.
The collective challenge we face as a nation is to prepare an entire generation for future jobs that do not yet exist. We need to ensure the demands of the future job market can be met while balancing the need for individuals to be able to choose and forge their own unique paths.
“It takes a village to raise a child”
“When parents, teachers and the community work together, we multiply our efforts to make every student an engaged learner. We multiply the domains in which our children can find success… Indeed, we create new pathways to success.”
– Minister Heng Swee Keat, MOE Work Plan Seminar 2015
The Ministry of Education in Singapore is clear in flagging that parents and the community at large have an important part to play in a child’s education. It very pro-actively engages parents, community resources and private education providers to supplement its efforts to build a world-class education system.
Indeed, while child development is a continuous process with a relatively predictable sequence, each child is unique and will require a unique “course”. It would take the collective efforts of both the public and private sector to help ensure that a comprehensive suite of customized solutions can aim to meet the needs of all. Ironically, with the sheer volume of information, and the wide range of classes and service offerings available, many parents themselves start to be stressed out trying to give their child the best possible head-start.