The education system in Singapore has developed over time based on the British system and emphasizes testing and excellence in subjects like science and math. It comprises primary school (6 years), secondary school (4-5 years), and post-secondary options like the polytechnic (3 years), junior college (2 years), or institute of technical education (2 years). The goals of the Singapore education system are to develop thinking skills, creativity, lifelong learning, excellence, social conscience, and leadership. It aims to provide students with well-rounded development in areas like character, skills, knowledge application, and an appreciation for Singapore.

1. EDUCATION SYSTEM IN
SINGAPORE.
Compiled By: Big Ben.(CTIE)

2. Objectives
• An overview on how the education system has developed over time.
• Education structure.
• Core values
• Vision of education
• National goals of education
• All round education system.
• Projected outcomes in the life of the learner after each stage of education.

3. University (3 - 4 years)
JC (2 years)
Poly (3 years)
ITE (2 years)
Secondary School (4 - 5 years)
Primary School (6 years)

4. INTRODUCTION.
•This section shall provide in summary the educational system
of Singapore, the vision of the ministry of education, an
overview on the education system, national goals among
others.
•The result of the specific war in 1945 had created severe social
and economic dislocation for the people of Singapore.
Although the British rulers reclaimed control of the trading
port, the halo of British invincibility was totally shattered.

5. HOW THE SINGAPORE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS
DEVELOPED OVERTIME.
The education system in Singapore is based on the
British systems and puts a lot of emphasis on testing. The
ranking of schools through standardized tests is to know
how well students perform. Singapore students are known
to excel in international tests in practical skills such as
science and mathematics, this is as a result of the
government’s emphasis on those areas.
By the end of the 1970s, social and economic indicators
pointed to a rich and progressive Singapore in the midst
of developing countries still battling with the problem of
poverty.

6. • The Education system of Singapore believed that people are the only
resource and these people have to exceptional if Singapore is to
survive and prosper.The Government’s struggle on innovating and
gearing education towards the latest needs of society and economic
prosperity. Despite the criticism leveled against it for being
regimented and test-oriented, the Singapore education system is
quite creative. Singaporean teacher consistently rank high in
teaching surveys and are commended for their innovative teaching
methods.

7. THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
LIFE SKILLS
CCA, CME,
PCCG, NE, PE, Health
Education3
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
PW4
LANGUAGES
English1
Mother Tongue
HUMANITIES
& THE ARTS
Social Studies,
Art & crafts, Music
MATHEMATICS
& SCIENCE
Mathematics
Science2
LEGEND
CCA Co-Curricular
Activities
CME Civics & Moral
Education
PCCG Pastoral Care &
Career Guidance
NE National Education
PE Physical Education
PW Project Work
SUBJECTS TESTED
IN PSLE:
Regular stream subjects:
English, Mother Tongue,
Mathematics, Science
Optional:
Higher Mother Tongue
EM3 subjects:
Foundation English
Basic Mother Tongue
Foundation Mathematics

8. THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
LIFE SKILLS
CCA, CIP, CME,
PCCG, NE, PE,
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
PW1
LANGUAGES
English
Mother Tongue, Higher Mother Tongue,
Mother Tongue Language ‘B’
3rd Language (Optional – French, German, Japanese, Chinese,
Malay)
HUMANITIES
& THE ARTS MATHEMATICS
& SCIENCE
LEGEND
CCA Co-Curricular
Activities
CIP Community Involvement
Programme
CME Civics & Moral
Education
PCCG Pastoral Care &
Career Guidance
NE National Education
PE Physical Education
PW Project Work
Students in the Special and
Express courses typically offer 7-
8 subjects at the GCE ‘O’ Level
Examinations.
Lower Sec subjects:
Geography, History, Literature
in English, Visual Arts, Music
Upper Sec subjects:
Combined Humanities
Upper Sec electives:
Geography, History, Literature in English,
Literature in Chinese,
Malay Literature, Tamil
Literature, Art & Design,
Music, Higher Art,
Higher Music
Lower Sec subjects:
Mathematics, Science,
Design & Technology, Home
Economics
Upper Sec subjects:
Mathematics, a Science
subjectUpper Sec electives:
Additional Mathematics,
Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
Combined Science options,
Design and Technology,
Food & Nutrition,
Principles of
Accounts

9. THE “A” LEVEL SHOOL CURRICULUM.
China StudiesEnglish Language and
Linguistics

10. THE NATIONAL GOALS OF EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE.
To develop intellectual depth and higher level thinking
To nurture productive creativity
To develop attitudes for self-directed lifelong learning
To enhance aspirations for individual excellence and
fulfilment
To develop a strong social conscience and commitment
to serve society and nation
To develop moral values and qualities for responsible
leadership.

11. THE CORE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE EDUCATIONAL GOALS.
Assessment
Formative and summative
Content
Aims & objectives, content,
skills & competencies,
values & attitudes
Teaching Strategies
Classroom management, pedagogy, teaching &
learning resources
Students’
Learning
Experiences

12. THE VISION OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
IN SINGAPORE.
• . The vision of the ministry of education in Singapore
is “Thinking Schools, Learning Nation”.
THE EDUCATION COMMISION.

13. SINGAPORE’S
EDUCATION
SYSTEM AS ALL
ROUND LEARNING.
• Character Development
•Self-Management Skills
•Social and Cooperative Skills
•Literacy and Numeracy
•Communication Skills
•Information Skills
•Thinking Skills and Creativity
•Knowledge Application Skills

14. REFORMS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF SINGAPORE.
 In announcing a new government policy calledThinking Schools in 1997, the
Singapore Minister of Education said, “We cannot produce adaptable, innovative and
creative students unless we have adaptable, innovative and creative teachers and
schools.”
Singapore has also made extensive use of international benchmarking as a tool for
improvement and to move up the educational value chain. Staff of the ministry,
other support bodies, and the schools all visit other systems and explore
international best practice.
• Reports of high rankings by Singaporean students on international tests were
first published around the same time as low growth forecasts for the
Singaporean economy. Many people including Prime Minister, began pushing
for education reforms that included less memorization and rote learning and
more creativity and the addition of more art classes, outdoor outing and clubs

15. THE PROJECTED OUTCOMES OF THE SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL
CURRICULUM.
At the end of primary
education, students
At the end of secondary
education, students
At the end of pre-university
education, students
are able to distinguish right
from wrong
have moral integrity are resilient and resolute
have learnt to share and put
others first
have care and concern for
others
have a sound sense of social
responsibility

16. are able to build friendships with
others
are able to work in teams and value
every contribution
understand what it takes to inspire
and motivate others
have a lively curiosity about
things
are enterprising and innovative have an entrepreneurial and
creative spirit
are able to think for and express
themselves
possess a broad-based foundation for
further education
are able to think independently and
creatively
take pride in their work believe in their ability strive for excellence
have cultivated healthy habits have an appreciation of aesthetics have a zest for life
love Singapore know and believe in Singapore understand what it takes to lead

17. CONCLUSION.
• The Ministry of Education is always ensuring that there is a balance
in curriculum in a way that the curriculum addresses needs of the
present time.
• Singapore’s national curriculum will continue to provide students
with a strong foundation in the core areas of literacy, numeracy and
scientific literacy as these core areas provide the foundation for
future learning.The study of the humanities will be reinforced as the
humanities have the value in developing students’ ability to
understand and appreciate different perspectives, as well as nurture
cultural sensitivities and civic awareness.
•