Education in Singapore

The Ministry of Education in Singapore controls and directs the education policy in
Singapore. The development and administration of state schools which receive
government funding is part of the Ministry's responsibilities along with being in an
advisory and supervisory role for private schools.

Primary education has become compulsory for all the citizens of Singapore and if
parents fail to enrol their children into school, it is considered a criminal offence.

English has been adopted as a first language and is the primary medium of instruction
in most institutions. At school level however, Singapore follows the bilingual system of
education with English being complemented by a mother tongue language. This system
has proved to be extremely fruitful for the overall development of a student's abilities.
This has managed to cross the ethnic and languages based borders amongst the
citizens, and connect Singapore to the rest of the world.

From pre-nursery to university

A growing number of children in Singapore are attending pre-nursery or playschool

education before the age of 4, though this is optional. Many children in Singapore also
attend Nursery for 1 year at the age of 4, though this is also optional. By the age of 5,
most children will be attending Kindergarten for 2 years (K1 and K2).

Formal education in Singapore begins at primary schools, starting from Primary 1

through Primary 6, which is similar to First Grade through Sixth Grade in the American
system.

Children who pass the Primary Six Leaving Examination (PSLE) at the end of Primary 6
will progress to secondary schools, starting from Secondary 1 through Secondary 4
(Special/Express Stream), or Secondary 1 through Secondary 5 (Normal Stream). This
is somewhat similar to Seventh Grade through Tenth Grade in the American system.

Students who pass the GCE 'O' Level examination at the end of Secondary 4 or 5 will
then have to compete for admission to either a Junior College (2 years), a Polytechnic
(3 or 4 years) or a Pre-University Centre (3 years). This is somewhat similar to Eleventh
Grade and Twelfth Grade in the American system.

Finally, students who pass the GCE 'A' Level examination at the end of Junior College
Year 2 or Pre-University Year 3, and students with excellent results at the end of
Polytechnic Year 3/4 will then have to compete for admission to a local university, either
National University of Singapore (NUS) or Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), which controls the
development and administration of state schools receivinggovernment funding, but also has an
advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. For both private and state schools,
there are variations in the extent of autonomy in their curriculum, scope of government aid and
funding, tuition burden on the students, and admission policy.[1]

In Singapore, English is the first language learned by half the children by the time they
reach preschool age and becomes the primary medium of instruction by the time they reach primary
school. English is the language of instruction for most subjects, especially mathematics and the natural
sciences; the official Mother Tongue languages are generally not taught in English, although there is
provision for the use of English at the initial stages. Certain schools, such as secondary schools under
the Special Assistance Plan (SAP), which encourages a richer use of the mother tongue, may teach
occasionally in English and another language. A few schools have been experimenting with curricula that
integrate language subjects with mathematics and the sciences, using both English and a second
language.

In 2000 the Compulsory Education Act[2] codified compulsory education for children of primary

school age, and made it a criminal offence for parents to fail to enroll their children in school
and ensure their regular attendance.[3] Exemptions are allowed for homeschooling or full-time
religious institutions, but parents must apply for exemption from the Ministry of Education and
meet a minimum benchmark.[4]. Special needs children are automatically exempted from
compulsory education.