SECONDARY EDUCATION
At the secondary level, pupils have the choice of three courses designed to match their learning abilities and interests. Pupils undergo four to five years of secondary education with different curricular emphases. The majority of pupils undergo the Special course or Express course whilst the rest enter the Normal course. Within the Normal course, pupils have the option of taking the Normal (Academic) course or the Normal (Technical) course, both of which lead to the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education "Normal", GCE "N" level examination at the end of four years. Those who are competent go on to sit the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education "Ordinary", GCE "O" level examination at the end of the fifth year.

SPECIAL COURSE
The four-year Special course provides able pupils with the opportunity to study English and the Mother Tongue at a higher level, that is, Higher Chinese, Higher Malay or Higher Tamil. At the end of Secondary Four, they sit the GCE "O" level examination.

EXPRESS COURSE
The Express course also prepares pupils for the GCE "O" level examination in four years. Unlike pupils in the Special course, pupils study English and the Mother Tongue, that is, Chinese, Malay or Tamil.

NORMAL COURSE
Pupils in the Normal (Academic) course have, as compulsory subjects, English, the Mother Tongue and Mathematics. Pupils sit the GCE "N" level examination at the end of the fourth year. Those who meet the criteria go on for a fifth year of study. On obtaining good results at the GCE "O" level examination, they can proceed to the junior colleges, polytechnics or technical institutes. Many of the pupils who complete the Normal course in the fourth year, after sitting the GCE "N" level examination, are likely to take up technical and vocational education at the technical institutes.

Pupils in the Normal (Technical) course are prepared for technical-vocational education with the Institute of Technical Education. The curriculum is geared towards strengthening pupils’ proficiency in English and Mathematics. Pupils will take as compulsory subjects, English, Mathematics and Computer Applications and offer them at the "N" level examination at the end of the fourth year. Those who are able academically can continue another year to prepare for the "O" level examination.

CURRICULUM
At the secondary level, the curriculum for the Special, Express and Normal (Academic) courses include English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, English Literature, Art and Craft, Design and Technology, Home Economics, Civics and Moral Education, Physical Education and Music. In Secondary Three, students can opt for subjects of their choice, apart from the core subjects (English Language, the Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Physical Education and Civics and Moral Education).

The electives depend on whether they are in the Arts, Science, Commerce or Technical stream. Pupils do at least one Humanities subject if they are in the Science stream. They can also do a third language, such as French, German or Japanese.

Pupils in the Normal (Technical) stream can do electives such as Technical Studies (or Design and Technology), Basic Science, Food and Nutrition, Fashion and Fabrics, Art and Craft and Elements of Office Administration, apart from the core subjects of English, basic Chinese/ Malay/ Tamil, Mathematics and Computer Applications.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
Upon completion of their GCE "O" Level Examinations, 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. Admission is based on a points system computed from the aggregate of the student’s GCE "O" Level result.

At the end of the pre-university course, students sit for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education "Advanced" (GCE "A") Level Examinations. Their eligibility for tertiary education is determined by the results of their GCE "A" Level Examinations.

The curriculum for pre-university students comprises two compulsory subjects, namely, General Paper and the Mother Tongue, and a maximum of four GCE "A" Level subjects. Subjects offered in the Arts Stream include Literature, Economics, History, Geography, Art and Mathematics. Students in the Science

Stream can opt for Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, Art and Computing.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Apart from the formal school curriculum, pupils participate in Co-curricular activities (CCAs) which provide healthy recreation, and instil self-discipline, teamwork and confidence in the pupils. The character development and physical growth of each child is hence provided for.

There is a wide range of CCAs in our schools. Pupils may choose from a variety of sports and games such as track and field, basketball, tennis or uniformed organisations such as the Red Cross Society and National Police Cadet Corps. They can, alternatively, opt for a cultural activity such as the Military Band, the ethnic dance group or the drama club. Students can also participate in clubs and societies like the Photographic Society, the Computer Club and the Gardening Club.

Pupils are introduced to CCAs at Primary Four and participation is voluntary. At secondary level, they must participate in at least one core CCA .

Schools compete in a number of Co-curricular events at the zonal and national level each year. These include sports events such as the Inter-School Cross Country Championships, and the National Track and Field and Swimming Championships. The Singapore Youth Festival is an annual event which showcases the creativity and talent of Singapore students through drama presentations, choral singing, an art and craft exhibition, uniformed group events and sports events.

 

TYPES OF SCHOOLS

Independent Schools
The setting up of independent schools is one step towards excellence in education. An independent school enjoys autonomy in setting its own scale of fees, in the admission of pupils, in the selection and appointment of teachers and principals as well as in curriculum matters. They conform to national education policies, such as the bilingual policy, the teaching of Civics and Moral Education and the preparation of students for national examinations.

Autonomous Schools
Autonomous schools can be government or government aided schools. They are given additional funds and more leeway to execute their mission of providing quality education. These schools are well-spread out geographically for the convenience of pupils living in the different parts of the island. They, too conform to national education policies.

SAP Schools
The Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools are established to maintain high standards in both English and Chinese whilst preserving the traditional ethos existing in the schools. The secondary SAP schools offer the Special course where pupils learn Chinese at a higher level and English.

Cluster School
The School Cluster Scheme was mooted as a management model to enhance the management of schools by reducing centralised control and decision-making. Under the scheme, a group of schools forms a cluster co-ordinated by a Superintendent with the responsibility of facilitating networking and collaboration among the Principals of the cluster schools. The Superintendents are also in charge of developing and supervising the Principals.

Single Session Schools
Some of our schools are double-session with two groups of students making use of school facilities from 7:30am to 1:00pm and 1:00pm to 6:30pm. By the year 2000, all secondary schools will be single-session. Schools may make use of available facilities for extra-curricular activities and enrichment programmes in the afternoons.

Special Schools
Pupils with physical or intellectual impairment go to special schools which are run by the voluntary welfare organisations and heavily funded by the government. Trained teachers are seconded to teach in these schools. The schools are equipped with special facilities and specially designed curricular to prepare disabled children for life and for work in society.

SCHOOL FEES AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES
Pupils at primary level do not have to pay school fees. They only pay miscellaneous fees which go to their respective school, to help cover the cost of equipment and special programmes for the benefit of the pupils. Pupils at secondary and pre-university levels pay subsidised school fees as well as miscellaneous fees.

SCHOOL FACILITIES
All schools are equipped with facilities to provide students with a balanced education. Schools have well-stocked libraries to promote reading and the discipline of self-study. They also have special rooms such as science laboratories, art rooms, music rooms, media resource rooms and computer laboratories. Other facilities available include basketball and volleyball courts and multi-purpose halls. Junior colleges are equipped with tennis and squash courts, and their lecture theatres are fitted with sound systems and multimedia projection facilities.

With the implementation of the IT Masterplan, all schools will be fully networked by the year 2002. Teachers and pupils will have adequate access to multi-media computer resources, courseware, the Internet

and digitised media resources. The target of the IT Masterplan is to provide one computer to every two pupils from primary one to junior college, and for IT to be used for 30 % of curriculum time.
 

THE SCHOOL YEAR
The school year consists of four terms of ten weeks each, beginning January 2. There is a one week vacation between the first and second terms and another between the third and fourth terms. There is a four-week break in the middle of the year and a long vacation of six weeks occurs at the end of the year.
 

INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING

Institute of Technical Education
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is a post-secondary institution which equips secondary school leavers and working adults with technical skills and knowledge to meet the manpower needs of the various sectors of industry. ITE provides full-time institutional training and apprenticeship programmes for school leavers as well as Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes for workers.
 

Polytechnics
The Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic have been set up to ensure broad-based training for students inclined towards practice-oriented studies at tertiary level.

Geared towards people with "O" and "A" level qualifications, as well as the graduates from the technological institutes, the four polytechnics offer a wide range of courses such as engineering, business and maritime studies, mass communications, marketing, graphic, product and interior design and computer studies. ITE graduates holding a certificate of merit in relevant National Trade Certificate Grade 2 courses, or who have gone through the ITE’s apprenticeship scheme can also apply to the polytechnics.

National Institute of Education
Professional training for teachers is conducted by the National Institute of Education (NIE), an institute at the Nanyang Technological University.

NIE offers four-year degree programmes for "A" level students which lead to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Science with Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Arts with Diploma in Education (Physical Education) or Bachelor of Science with Diploma of Education (Physical Education). Two-year programmes are also offered to "A" level students and Polytechnic Diploma holders. These lead to the award of the Diploma in Education or Diploma in Physical Education.

For university graduates, NIE offers the one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programme. They will be trained to teach either in primary schools or secondary schools. Alternatively, they can take up the two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Physical Education) Programme and specialise in teaching Physical Education.

Universities
Admission to the two universities, the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, is based on GCE "A" level performance and, in some cases, interviews as well. Diploma holders can also apply for admission to the universities. A third university, the Singapore Management University, will be established in 2000.

Faculties in the National University of Singapore offer degree programmes in Arts and Social Sciences, Architecture, Building and Real Estate, Business Administration, Law, Science, Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry. Postgraduate studies are offered in all faculties and there are six postgraduate schools, namely the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences, Business, and Science; Schools of Medical and Dental Studies as well as the Postgraduate School of Engineering.

The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has its origin in the former Nanyang Technological Institute. With the incorporation of the National Institute of Education in 1991, NTU has become a comprehensive university offering a diverse selection of courses. Its Engineering and Business related programmes are most notable and have received accolades from international organisations.

The degree courses offered at NTU include Accountancy, Business, Communication Studies, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Production Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, Arts, Science, Education and Physical Education.

Open University Degree Programme
The Ministry of Education appointed the Singapore Institute of Management to run the Open University Degree Programme (OUDP) because of the institute’s experience in organising part-time further education programmes for working adults. The OUDP is run in collaboration with the UK Open University and adopts an open approach to learning. Open learning systems are designed to meet individual requirements and remove barriers, notably of time and space, that prevent attendance at traditional courses. The OUDP adopts a multi-media instructional system. Some of the main components are self-learning study units, audio and video tapes, revision classes as well as year-end examinations.

Singapore Management University, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts

The Ministry of Education also oversees the broad strategic development of three public-funded private institutions of higher learning, the Singapore Management University, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and the LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts.
 

FOREIGNER STUDYING IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

Children of expatriates residing in Singapore on employment passes or skilled work permits can apply for admission to government or aided schools. School fees in these schools are pegged at $3 a month for primary pupils and $5 a month for secondary students, and are much lower than those in private schools. Children whose parents are not employment pass holders, skilled work permit holders or permanent residents will need to apply for student passes through the Foreign Student Unit, Ministry of Education

Write to:
Foreign Students Unit, Ground Floor, Ministry of Education, Kay Siang Road
Singapore 248922; Tel: (65)-6470-9356, Fax: (65)-6476-0957

The parent/guardian will receive a Letter of Certification within seven working days of the submission of the application. By presenting the Letter of Certification, the parent may contact the school of their choice to apply for an assessment test, the dates of which are decided by the school. Acceptance by the school will depend on the results of the test and the student's age. If the student is accepted, the Foreign Students Unit will send a letter requesting a contribution to the Education Fund. Malaysians must contribute $3,000 for primary education, secondary and pre-university education, while parents of other nationalities must contribute $5,000.

The Student Pass can then be obtained from the Immigration Department with the Letter of Approval. (Foreign students can report for school admission only after obtaining the Student Pass.)

For admission to kindergartens, private schools, universities and polytechnics, applications can be made directly to the school, and the contribution to the Education Fund is not required.
 

For more information on studying in Singapore, please visit www.singaporeedu.gov.sg.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

In Singapore, there are a number of international schools to choose from. Please click here for a list of all international schools in Singapore. It is compulsory for foreign students studying here to apply for an annual student pass from the Immigration Department. The school fees paid by the company are taxable under the Singapore law.

 5 TOP

© Copyright 2003 - 2008 Singapore Property Consultants Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

Best view on Internet Explorer 1024 x 768 pixels.

Disclaimer       Privacy Statement