Education System in Singapore

The education system in Singapore aims to provide each individual with a balanced education, and to nurture good citizens.  The system is flexible and caters to every child’s abilities, interests and aptitudes so as to maximize his potential.  Education focuses on the development of human resources to meet the nation’s manpower needs and the inculcation of sound moral values to serve as cultural ballast in the face of rapid change.

The education system comprises 3 major levels:

1. Primary education begins at age 6 and lasts 6 years.  In the first 4 years of primary education, the focus is to build a firm foundation in English, mother tongue and mathematics.  In addition, pupils learn music, art and crafts, moral education, health education, social studies and physical education.   At the end of primary education, pupils sit for a national examination (the Primary School Leaving Examination, or PSLE) which assesses their abilities for placement in a secondary school course that suits their abilities and aptitudes.

2. Secondary education lasts four to five years, depending on the ability of the pupil.  Pupils in the Special and Express course sit for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education ‘Ordinary Level’ (GCE ‘O’ level) examination after 4 years of secondary education.  Pupils in the Normal course take the General Certificate of Education ‘Normal Level’ examination in their fourth year of secondary education, and if they do well, proceed to a fifth year to prepare for the GCE ‘O’ level examination. 

The program for pupils in the Special, Express and Normal (Academic) courses include a core curricula comprising English language, mother tongue, mathematics, one science subject and one humanities subject.  In addition, pupils can opt for elective subjects.  Pupils in the Normal (Technical) course study subjects with a technical-vocational bend (e.g.: Technical Studies) in addition to the core subjects of English language, mother tongue, mathematics and computer applications.

Post-secondary education comprises a range of options for pupils. The more academically inclined follow a 2 or 3 year program leading to the General Certificate of Education ‘Advanced’ Level (GCE ‘A’ level) in junior colleges and centralized institutes respectively.  After the GCE ‘A’ levels, pupils can proceed to university education, either in the local universities (National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University) or abroad.  About 25% of an age cohort pursue the GCE ‘A’ level course.  Another 40% of the age cohort go on to the four polytechnics where they pursue courses leading to a diploma in three years.  Pupils can pursue courses in engineering, information technology, business, design and health sciences.  Another 25% of the age cohort go on to the Institutes of Technical Education to pursue 2 or 3-year courses leading to technical and trade certificates.