Training
The government has often spoken of
Singapore's population as the country's only natural
resource. More than a fifth of the state's expenditure
goes to education, with the stated aim of strengthening
the country's competitiveness.
The teaching is largely tailored to the needs of the
business community. The vast majority attend both
primary and secondary schools. The teaching is in
English, but everyone also reads a native language, ie
Malay, Tamil or Chinese.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Country facts of Singapore, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
Since 2003 there has been a six-year compulsory
schooling, but already almost all children in the free
school from six years of age attended. Most also spend
at least a couple of years in preschool. Already after
four years in primary school, the children are grouped
according to the study results. At the end of sixth
grade, all children undergo a test that decides which
program to follow for four or five years at the high
school.
Secondary school's two- or three-year courses then
prepare students for further study or professional life.
Nine out of ten students complete upper secondary
school.
Some critics have claimed in recent years that the
school in Singapore is too focused on measuring
knowledge and does not sufficiently stimulate the
creativity needed in a modern economy. The government is
therefore investing in the renewal of teaching in this
direction and also wants to give aesthetic and practical
subjects more importance.
In Singapore there are six universities with a total
of just over 100,000 students. Largest and oldest is the
National University of Singapore (NUS), which has
extensive cooperation with universities abroad. In
addition, there are about 10 colleges.
- Educationvv: Provides school and education information in Singapore, covering middle school, high school and college education.
FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary
school
99.5 percent (2016)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary
school
15 (2016)
Reading and writing skills
97.0 percent (2016)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of GDP
20.0 percent (2013)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of the state budget
20.0 percent (2013)
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