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1947

Ten Years Program was instituted as first attempt to establish educational policies with identified goals.

Provide universal primary education through either one of the languages: English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil

Schools were to encourage interactions among ethnic groups in school activities

Similar curriculum to be provided to all races

 

1956

White Paper on Education Policy

Civics and Moral Education became compulsory subject in schools

1959

Attainment of self-government with PAP in power and 1963 merger with Malaysia

Context: Policies were put in place to unify education system and prepare merger  with newly independent Malaysia

  • Universal free primary school education

  • Establishment of Malay as the National Language

  • Emphasis on the study of Science, Mathematics and technical subjects

 

1960

Policy of bilingualism (one of which is English and the other mother tongue) was made compulsory in primary schools

Rationale for bilingualism: English necessary to succeed in world commerce and mother tongue to keep attuned to one’s culture

Mid 60's

Country-wide primary school education as attained.

1968

Winsemius Report – Technical Education Department was established.

1969

1970

All male students required to have 2 years exposure to technical education. Females had a choice of Home Education or Technical Education.

Survival-Driven system of education

Goh Report: Education wastage and low literacy level

Goh Report was endorsed. Introduction of streaming. 

1978

1979

1980's

Efficiency-Driven system of education. Emphasis on ‘Good Citizen’ and ‘Being and Becoming’

Gifted Programme established

English officially became the main medium of instruction

Independent schools established

Ranking of schools were introduced

Autonomous school established

1985

1987

1988

1992

Thinking Schools, Learning Nation; ICT took off; Launch of National Education

Social Studies made a compulsory subject at secondary school level

Integrated programmes established

21st Century Competencies

2001

2002

2009

1997

1994

An insight to the 21st Century Competencies ...

Key Education

Policy Initiatives

3 

4 

  • Identify key education policy initiatives that have shaped the Singapore education landscape

 

 

  • Discuss plausible approaches for teachers to address the challenges arising from the unintended outcomes.

 

 

1 

2

  • Introduce the 21st Century Competencies initiative.

 

 

  • Examine the intended and unintended outcomes of having differentiated Social Studies curriculum in achieving the government’s larger purpose of ensuring economic competitiveness and social cohesion.

 

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