Scope of Scope of PresentationPresentation

Evolution of the education system

Emerging trends and challenges for education

MOE’s strategic response

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Evolution of the Evolution of the Education Education

SystemSystemSurvival-Driven Phase (1959-78)Survival-Driven Phase (1959-78)

Mass education Social cohesion and national

identity Bilingualism

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Evolution of the Evolution of the Education Education

SystemSystemEfficiency-Driven Phase (1959-now)Efficiency-Driven Phase (1959-now)

Ability-based streaming Greater autonomy for schools

Fewer School DropoutsFewer School Dropouts

19%

4.20% 4.40%

11%

1.90%0.40%

0%2%

4%6%

8%10%12%

14%16%

18%20%

80 90 97

Year

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Sec

Pri

Percentage of Percentage of Cohort with 5 or Cohort with 5 or more O-levelsmore O-levels

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

Post-Secondary Education Post-Secondary Education and Trainingand Training

University 21%

GCE O-levelsGCE O-levels GCE N-levelsGCE N-levels

Polytechnics39%

ITE21%

WORK

JC/CI25%

Third International Third International Mathematics and Science Mathematics and Science

Study Study

Primary level

Maths

Secondary levelScienceMath

s

Singapore ranks highly in the use of Singapore ranks highly in the use of ICT in Education -- SITES M1 surveyICT in Education -- SITES M1 survey

Sunday Times21 Nov 99

Strong Systems Strong Systems and Structuresand Structures National examinations National curriculum Concentrate best in HQ to

plan and conceptualise

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Emerging Trends and Emerging Trends and ChallengesChallenges

SINGAPORE

GlobalisationTechnology Intellectual

Capital

Education’s Education’s Strategic ResponseStrategic Response

Efficiency-driveneducation system

Ability-driveneducation system

VisionThinking Schools Learning Nation

MissionMould the future

of the nation

GoalThe Desired Outcomes

of Education

Efficiency-drivenEfficiency-drivenEducationEducation

Ability-drivenAbility-drivenEducationEducation

How?

What?

Desired Outcomes Desired Outcomes of Educationof Education

Develops the talents and abilities of each individual

Develops useful citizens and responsible members of community and nation

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Dual Functions for Education

Ability-driven EducationAbility-driven Education

studentharnessing

development

Talent &Ability

School of the animalsSchool of the animals

Masterplan for IT in Masterplan for IT in EducationEducation

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Education’s answer to rapid technological advancement

IT is an enabler, not an end Targets (by 2002):

30% of curriculum time 1 computer to 2 students

National EducationNational Education

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

To know the Singapore story

To think global, yet stay local

To safeguard social harmony

Curriculum and Curriculum and AssessmentAssessment Content reduction

Skills communication, observation,

problem-solving, social, process Interdisciplinary project work

a means Core content knowledge still

needed

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

University Admission University Admission SystemSystem Shifting students’ attitudes

The university admission system serves two purposes sorting students signaling effect

A-levels to be supplemented by reasoning tests, project work, ECAs

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

School AppraisalSchool Appraisal Shifting schools’ mindsets Quality assurance approach based

on self-appraisal 50% results 50% enablers

Aim is to sustain excellence

Moulding the Future of Our Nation

Paradigm shifts in Systems and structures Processes Culture

and environment