MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

MR LEE YOCK SUAN Minister for Education

Over the next 5 years, the Ministry of Education will introduce improvements to the education system from primary school to university. All pupils will receive at least 10 years of general education. We will restructure vocational education and expand the polytechnic and university sectors. We will set up an Open University. We will develop our human resources to the fullest, to meet the manpower needs of our modern technology-based economy.

Primary Education

2. Improvements to the primary education system will be phased-in from 1992. The aim is to give pupils a strong foundation in English, the mother tongue and mathematics and prepare them for secondary education and beyond.

3. We have developed a preparatory year programme for 5-year-olds. It will strengthen language skills, and help compensate for differences in the language spoken at home, to prepare pupils for formal schooling at Primary 1. The programme is currently being tested out in several primary schools. However, the Government will not expand its role in pre-primary education, in order to concentrate its resources on formal primary education. As private kindergartens and pre-school centres upgrade their preparatory-year programmes, Government and Government-aided schools will correspondingly phase out their programmes, probably within two years.

4. The foundation stage of primary schooling (Primary 1 - 4) will emphasize the learning of English, the mother tongue and mathematics. Pupils will be streamed at the end of Primary 4, to enter different language streams in Primary 5. In the final two years of primary school, the orientation stage (Primary 5 - 6), pupils will learn English and the mother tongue at different levels of proficiency. From 1993, all pupils will sit a modified Primary School Leaving Examination which will place them into appropriate courses in secondary schools.

5. Six primary schools will function as Day Schools on a pilot basis, 5 from 1992 and one from 1993. Teaching and learning in these schools can take place at a more measured pace. These schools will also organise optional after-school activities to cater to the needs of pupils.

6. To meet the expected increase in primary school enrolment, the Ministry will build 8 more primary schools by 1994.

Secondary Education

7. From 1994, the Ministry will introduce a new secondary course with a technical bias. This course will strengthen pupils' language and mathematics skills, and teach new subjects such as computer applications and technology to prepare pupils for vocational education at the post-secondary level.

Independent Schools

8. Independent schools have introduced new educational programmes and created a more conducive teaching and learning environment since they were established. The Ministry will help independent schools to consolidate their programmes and introduce more innovations.

Edusave Scheme

9. To maximise and equalize educational opportunities for all Singaporeans, the Government will launch the Edusave scheme. The Government will make an annual contribution into the Edusave account of every eligible pupil. Pupils can use their Edusave accounts to pay for enrichment activities and programmes organised by their schools, as well as to meet approved fees.

10. Edusave will fund scholarships to independent schools. The scholarships will cover fees for one-quarter of the pupils enroled in these schools. This will give able children access to independent schools, regardless of their financial means.

11. Edusave will also fund scholarships for students going to non-independent secondary schools, so that good students in many schools will be recognised and encouraged to put in their best efforts.

12. Edusave will give all Government and Government-aided secondary schools an annual grant, averaging $100,000 per school. The schools can spend these grants at their discretion, to improve the quality of their teaching.

Post-Secondary Education and Training

13. The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will be established in 1992 to take over the functions of the present Vocational and Industrial Training Board. The ITE will offer skills-training courses for pupils with secondary education. It will expand the scope of apprenticeship training to include new skill areas. Outstanding ITE graduates can further their studies in the polytechnics.

14. The polytechnics will expand. Temasek Polytechnic will increase its intake by 50% in 1992 and introduce more courses. A fourth polytechnic will be set up in 1992. By the end of the decade, the four polytechnics will together admit 40% of each cohort of pupils.

University Education

15. NUS and NTU will expand their intake and offer a greater variety of courses. By the second half of the decade, their combined annual intake will reach 9000 students, or 20% of the cohort. New courses such as communication studies, fine arts and design, human resource management and theatre studies will be introduced. Both universities will also step up research and development activities by expanding post-graduate enrolment and establishing specialised research institutes in conjunction with overseas centres of excellence.

16. The Singapore Open University (SOU) will be established in 1992. The Ministry is collaborating with a British open university for this purpose. The SOU will offer part-time degree programmes for working adults and those who missed out on a university education in their younger days. Initially it will offer undergraduate courses in Arts and Social Science, Science, Engineering and Technology.

Healthy Lifestyle

17. The Ministry will launch a Healthy Lifestyle programme in 1992 to make pupils aware of the need for and importance of a healthy lifestyle. The programme will help pupils to inculcate desirable health and eating habits, improve their physical fitness and reduce obesity.