Singapore's Educational system in the 1960s to the early 1970s :

In order to meet the increasing population after the post-war baby boom in the 1960s, the government had built more education centres eg. schools. There was an increase in schools from 222 in 1963 to 267 in 1967.

Building national loyalty in Singaporeans. Singapore is an multi-racial country. National loyalty is inportant to bring Singapore up to a higher level then. However, in those days, parents prefer to send their child to school of their own language medium eg. chinese child to a chinese medium school, malay child to a malay medium school. English schools are not popular then. Due to this practice, Children from different races seldom meet each other. This made the buliding of national loyalty difficult. So, the government had made flag raising and pledge taking ceremony complusory everyday, building loyalty within young singaporeans. And also, in order to allow children of different races to come in contact with each other more often, activities are organised across schools of different language streams. ECA (Extra Curriculum Activities) are promoted among children to instill loyalty to the country (singapore)

Social cohesion is an very important factor of the educational system back then and even now as Singapore is a multi-racial country. Cohesion between different races are important. The government had made moves to show fairness to all races. All races are treat the same. So, textbooks are loaned to student from all races. All government schools had the same facilities. Common examination eg PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) is introduced in four different language stream. The government also introduced intergrated school system where classes have same subjects but in different language. This helped to promote racial harmony. In 1966, Bilingualism was made COMPULSORY. Pupils were required to learn English-a link language between different races and their mother tongue. ECA programmes also bring pupils of different races together.

Preparing Singapore for the economic development. There was a declining entrepot trade, thus, causing the a serious unemployment in the 1960s. There are not enough jobs for school leavers each year. So, the government had introduce Technical studies in the 1969. All boys and 50% of the girls are to take up technical studies in secondary 1 and 2. The government also set up more technical school and vocational institutes .Ngee ann and Singapore polytechnic are expanded with more courses such as electrical and electronic to meet the needs of the economy.


In the late 1970s to early 1990s: Improving the quality of education

There was a high education wastage due to the unability to cope with the previous programmes. Therefore, the government had planned out streaming programmes at primary and secondary level to cater the different abilities of different students.
(i) Streaming in late 1980s
Pupils are streamed at primary 4 (at primary 3 in early 1980s)
-Three levels : EM1, EM2 and EM3
- Gifted programme is introduce
Secondary School level
- 3 streams
In 1994, Normal technical was introduced. The course gave pupils opportunity to achieve as much as they can with a technically-oriented curriculum.

Teaching Moral Values was one of the factor in education in late 1970s to early 1990s. The moral education programme was intrduced in 1981. However, in 1990s, Religiouus knowledge, previously made compulsory was made non-compulsory as moral education since Singapore is a secular state. A new Civis and Moral Education syllubus was introduced

There is also a need to encourage creativity among the students as the Singapore economy was badly hit by the gobal recession. So, schools were given more autonomy to work out their priorities and implement programmes to cater their needs. Double sessions schools are concerted to single session schools to allow more time for enrichment programmes. Independent schools are set up. In 1992, Autonomous schools are set up by the government whereby they are given extra funds and more freedom to introduce their programme.

Education system in the early 1990s to present: Preparing for the Challenges in the 21st century

In order for Singapore to survive in the 21st century, its new generation requires to aquire:

(I) Critical and Creative Thinking
Students need to know how to aquire for information andto analyse problems and find solution for themselves. Thus, Interdisciplinary Project Work (IPw) was introduced. Studemts had to find information and do research on their own. It also allow pupils to learn important skills of working as a team to achieve a common goal.

(II) Using Information Technology

(III) National Education
National Education was introduce to continue fostering social cohesion. It was introduce in the 1997. Consist the celebration of events such as the racial harmony day and total defence day to allow pupils to understand how Singapore survived through difficult times. CIP was introduced in 1998 to nurture pupils into good citizens who are conscious of their responsibilty to the family, society and country.

(IV) Developing Talents
There is a need for Singapore to develop her own group of talents . Students are also given opportunities to nurture ans maximize their talent. So Elective Programmes are introduce in both Secondary and Pre-university level. A Sports School is also set up to nurture talents in the athlethic wise.

(V) Compulsory Primary Education
This is to ensure that all children will have atleast a common core of knowledge and skills, allowing them to survive and emphasizing the need for life long learning.


Education system in Switzerland

There is no national education system in Switzerland. Different cantons n Switzerland had different education system. In each canton, the people had the rights to decide how the school is to be built. Primary and lower secondary education is compulsory in all cantons. Parents will be charged on court if they do not send their child to school.

The federal government had a say in the upper secondary level. It also administer the vocational examinations.

Vocational Training are consider good in switzerland. Pupils are trained by the schools AND private companies.

Similarities and Differences in education system of Singapore and Switzerland.

Both introduce bilingual/trilingual policy, Religious education, Community Services to instill and promote social cohesion.

Pupils in Switzerland Practiced decision making and had a say on how the school was going to be like. Not in Singapore.

Book4: chapter 1/i