The Singapore Education System

Under the Singapore Education System, there is Pre-School Education, Primary schools, Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges/Pre-Universities, Polytechnics, Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Universities, Private Arts Institutions, Private Schools, and Foreign System Schools/International Schools.

Pre-School Education

It is kindergartens and childcare centres, focus on four to six years old children. It is a three- year programme and operates two sessions a day with each session ranging from 3 to 4 hours, five days a week. Registration period is depending on centre to centre. The daily programme of each level includes learning activities that develop language and literacy skills, basic number concepts, simple science concepts, social skills, creative and problem solving skills, appreciation of music movement and outdoor play.

Primary Schools

In Primary Schools, children have to attend 6 years, 4 years for foundation stage (Primary 1 to 4) and next 2 years for orientation stage (Primary 5 to 6). At the foundation stage, they have to learn English, the Mother Tongue and Mathematics, with supplementary subjects such as Music, Art & Craft, Physical Education and Social Studies. From Primary 3, they have to learn Science and at the end of Primary 6, students have to sit Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

Secondary Schools

Students attend four or five years of secondary education under the Special, Express or Normal Course. Special and Express Courses are prepare for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education ‘Ordinary’ (GCE ‘O’) level examination during the four years. Normal Course is prepare for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education ‘Normal’ (GCE ‘N’) level examination. If students take normal course, they have to sit the GCE ‘O’ level examination for extra one year after GCE ‘N’ level examination. Secondary education curriculum includes English, the Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities. At Secondary 3, students can opt for electives of their choice, depending on whether they are in the Arts, Science, Commerce or Technical stream.

Junior Colleges/Pre-Universities

Depend on completion of the GCE ‘O’ level examination, students can apply for entry to a junior college for a two-year pre-university course or a centralised institute for a three-year pre-university course. Junior colleges and centralised institutes are preparing to entry the university for the students. The curriculums include two compulsory subjects which is General Paper and the Mother Tongue. At the end of the pre-universities course, students sit for the GCE ‘A’ level examination.

Polytechnics

Polytechnics can provide to the students for diploma level and it is a practice-oriented studies. There are currently five polytechnics in Singapore:

· Nanyang Polytechnic

· Ngee Ann Polytechnic

· Republic Polytechnic

· Singapore Polytechnic

· Temasek Polytechnic

There are various courses such as Engineering, Business Studies, Mass Communication, Design and Info-Communications. Students who want to study for their specific career path can choose the special courses such as Optometry, Marine Engineering, Nautical Studies, Nursing, Early Childhood Education and Film.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

ITE is a step to get the polytechnic for the students who cannot join to the polytechnic directly. ITE is emphasis for technical skill and to give the knowledge for various industry sectors. After the ITE, students are ready to go to the industry sectors.

Universities

There are three local universities in Singapore:

· National University of Singapore (NUS)

· Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

· Singapore Management University (SMU)

NUS was established in 1905 and it’s offering courses in major disciplines such as the Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Law, Arts & Social Sciences and Medicine.

NTU was established in 1981 to provide facilities for tertiary education and research in engineering and technology. It is collaboration with National Institute of Education (NIE) “the teachers’ college” and expanded to include Accountancy, Business and Communication Studies.

SMU was established in 2000 and it is focus on business and management programmes.

Beside the local universities, there are joint programmes with more than 16 other institutions around the world.

Private Arts Institutions

There are currently two private arts institution in Singapore, LASALLE College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Private Schools

There are more than 300 private commercial, IT, fine arts and language schools in Singapore. Private schools offer various courses at the certificate, diploma, bachelor and postgraduate level.