This document summarizes the changes to adult education in Singapore over the past decade. It outlines how the system has shifted from an unregulated, market-driven approach prior to 2003 to a more regulated system aimed at national priorities. Key changes included establishing the Workforce Development Agency in 2003 to oversee skills training, launching a national skills qualifications framework in 2005, and introducing a new academic continuing education framework in 2011 to better integrate skills and academic qualifications and ensure programs meet demand. While the overall direction of reform has been positive, the document notes there are still issues to address regarding recognition of qualifications, support for adult learners, and ensuring policies achieve their intended outcomes.

1. Adult Education
Second chance academic qualification
or skills upgrading?
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia
2 - 4 March 2014
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 1

2. Proceedings
1.
Adult Education in Singapore
2.
Major Changes since 2003
3.
Government Funded CET Qualifications
4.
Issues and Challenges
5.
Conclusion
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 2

3. http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/landscape/print/sg-education-landscape-print.pdf
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 3

4. Adult Education in Singapore (Pre-2003)
Government Funded
 Trade certificate

Diploma

Advanced
diploma, Specialist
diploma

Post-graduate
programmes
Equivalence of full-time
programmes at a different
time slot
Non-Government Funded
 Professional development
courses

Private schools running
diploma / bachelor / postgraduate programmes
Programmes taken for
various reasons
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 4

5. Pre-2003

Disorganised

Unregulated

Market-Driven
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 5

6. 2003 – Establishment of WDA
Workforce Development Agency
 Keep training relevant
 Strengthen the Continuing Education and Training (CET) infrastructure
 Help workers find jobs
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 6

7. 2005 – Establishment of WSQ Framework
Workforce Skills Qualifications
 National accreditation system
 Occupational and competency-based system
 Assessment and certification are based on ability to demonstrate the
industry's required capabilities
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 7

8. 2008 – Launch of CET Masterplan

Quantity
o
o

Setting up new CET centres
Expanding existing CET centres
Quality
o
o

Engaging PSEIs
Setting up Institute of Adult Learning
Flexibility
o
Integrating CET and local educational system
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 8

9. 2010 – Setting Up of NPCEC*

CET Workgroup – June 2010
o
o
Establish stronger linkages between the
academic CET and WSQ systems; and
Strengthen the alignment in CET
policies/programmes amongst the
Government agencies.
*NPCEC = National Productivity and Continuing Education Council
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 9

10. 2011 – Introduction of New Academic CET Quality
Framework

Unified framework for academic CET programmes
o
o
Approval process
o

Course structure
Course retirement process
Revised funding model
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 10

11. 2003
Setting up
of WDA
2005
Launch of
WSQ
Framework
2008
Release of
ERC Report
2010
Setting up
of NPCEC
and CET
WG
Laissez
Faire
2011
Launch of
MOE New
CET Quality
Framework
Regulation
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 11

12. 2003
Setting up
of WDA
2005
Launch of
WSQ
Framework
2008
Release of
ERC Report
2010
Setting up
of NPCEC
and CET
WG
Side
Business
2011
Launch of
MOE New
CET Quality
Framework
National
Agenda
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 12

13. Pre-2003
 Disorganised
Post-2010
 Unified

Unregulated

Regulated

Market-Driven

Socially-Driven
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 13

14. CET in Singapore (Post-2010)
Academic
 Trade certificate
Skills
 WSQ certificate

Diploma

WSQ diploma

Advanced diploma,
Specialist diploma

WSQ specialist diploma
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 14

15. Matching of Demand and Supply

What regulatory roles do the agencies want to
play?

Who should determine
o
What courses to run?
o
Intake size?
o
Entry requirements?
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 15

16. Digestible Course Structure

In support of adult learners
o
Bite-size modules
o
Removal of non-essential modules
o
Accumulation of certificates leading to a qualification
o
Video-recording of lessons
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 16

17. Funding Model

Who to fund?

What to fund?

How much to fund?

How to fund?
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 17

18. Transferability

How do we deal with the issue of equivalence
between the two systems?

How do people value the two qualifications?
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 18

19. Upward Mobility
Skills
Qualifications
 Recognition – pay increase
 Recognition – entrance to higher
studies
 Industry recognition
 University recognition
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 19

20. Conclusion

General direction has been correct

However some issues still need to be dealt with:
o
Recognition
o
Support for adult learners
o
Policy intent Vs Outcomes
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 20

21. Thank You
2014 Conference on Education and Human Development in Asia | Slide No. 21