Overview
Precedence given to educational development of younger children; a range of primary schools found within the sector
Giving high priority to education, Singapore’s education system is a centralized one and the Ministry of Education (MOE) allocates funding for all stages within the education department. Whether it be setting course syllabi, checking teacher credentials, evaluating teachers and principals or conducting regulated examinations, priority is given towards implementing a suitable learning pathway for children. This is also seen within the primary school sector in Singapore.
The primary school sector comprises six years of school and generally begins for children at the age of 7. Education within the sector proceeds from Primary 1-6 but age requirements upon entry may vary depending on the curriculum offered. Schools following the British curriculum will allow children at the ages of four or five to enter into the reception classes (the classes that mark the first year of primary school).
The Singapore primary school curriculum encompasses three segments - character development, subject-structured education and knowledge skills. Its main focus is on subjects such as English, Math, Science, Mother Tongue Language, Physical Education, Art, Music, Social Studies, and Character and Citizenship Education.
Within the sector, there are a variety of schools offering primary education, such as:
Government schools - which provide a high quality of education and have a more affordable fee structure.
Government-aided schools - that follow the national curriculum with funding obtained mostly from the government.
Independent schools that vary in fee structure and syllabus.
Specialized schools that provide holistic and hands-on learning approaches with an experimental approach.
With the presence of a range of schools within the sector, a large pool of choices is available to parents, who may select a school best suited to their financial capacity and educational expectations.
Key Trends
Primary schools switch to home-based learning; this proves disadvantageous, indirectly affecting academic development
With the increase in COVID-19 cases, the government of Singapore decided that all primary schools be closed and education be carried out via virtual platforms. The switch to online learning had its own set of obstacles that were faced by a large number of students. With limited access to laptops, smaller spaces within homes, poor internet connections and entire families being in lockdown at home, the hurdles were endless and student attendance was poor. Family support was reduced due to increased pressures and divided attention within larger families. This, in turn, affected many students' learning experience.
With the passing of time, the government initiated the administration of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12 years as a means to improve health and safety precautions within schools. In 2022, 192,000 children between five and eleven years were provided with the first dose of the vaccine and the second dose was given to more than 56,000 children in Singapore. Higher vaccination rates were a means to provide more dimension to school life and assist with ensuring more appropriate safeguards for all students.
Government provides extra support and resources to the sector; a large percentage of student dropouts due to low incomes
Post-pandemic, the education sector re-evaluated the needs and requirements of various stages of learning. This brought forth an initiative in 2021 within the primary school sector to introduce additional teachers who would act as a support system for children. The enhanced resourcing is said to be expanded in 24 primary schools from 2022 onwards and will continue to expand to upto 100 schools.
The main aim for such an initiative that is being carried out by the Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce (UPLIFT) is to provide additional support for underperforming students who come from lower income families. Taking a keen interest in children who also come from troubled family backgrounds and spend large periods of time skipping classes or merely dropping out of school due to poverty, the MOE in Singapore hopes to motivate and encourage students.
The strategy behind the move revolves around developing customized programmes within the curriculum, and assisting with structured and uncomplicated learning pathways to re-integrate students who lack an interest in academic goals.
Education focus directed towards better learning experiences for children; mid-semester examinations removed
In 2022, the MOE in Singapore announced that mid-year examinations for primary schools would be removed by 2023. The relevant minister stated that the removal of examinations was a means to relax the learning pace for each student as well as aid teachers with working at a better pace.
With increasing competition noted among students, the original objectives of education have changed over time. Students and staff have now begun to divert their attention from learning solely to obtain specific grades, towards developing a better learning experience and culture among children. The sector noted that 1 in 14 primary schools had already removed the need for mid-year examinations and is purely focusing on assessment-based curriculums.
Increased support provided to students post-pandemic; a range of community-based activities introduced
With the end of the pandemic, restrictions on group sizes were also being reduced. This brought forth an increase in a variety of school programmes to motivate and encourage students to be more interactive and active. Whether it be dance sessions, after-school assemblies or merely games and skill development sessions, the short gatherings would assist students both physically and mentally.
Numerous schools initiated individualistic approaches towards the introduction of student programmes, which included early morning gatherings for students and teachers to carry out dance-style activities together. For instance, Bedok Green Primary School, including its principal and teachers, would gather every Friday morning to dance to aerobics-inspired movements presented via a projector in the school hall. Another school, Farrer Park Primary, implemented a before-school programme for students, where children were allowed to pick topics that were important to them and discuss them amongst peers.
After-school programmes have also become prevalent, where teachers and counsellors opt to assist timid and introverted students with circus skills. This is an initiative to encourage more independence and confidence among children, along with helping them develop talents and skills. The additional support being provided by educators and the government are in the hopes of providing the boost needed by students post-pandemic.
Key Statistics
• The number of primary schools in Singapore has increased between 2012 and 2020, from 175 schools to 180 schools.
• The net enrolment rate for primary school age children in 2016 was said to be 99.94%.
• In 2018, it was reported that 0.728% of GDP accounted for government expenditure on the primary education sector in Singapore.
