The forthcoming presentation is available for download from our website:

Transcription

1 1 The forthcoming presentation is available for download from our website:

2 2 The Educational System of Singapore NAFSA Region IV Conference Brian Meiers, Evaluator Educational Credential Evaluators

3 3 Languages: Mandarin: 36.3% (official) English: 29.8% (official) Malay: 11.9% (official) Hokkien 8.1% Tamil: 4.1% (official) Cantonese: 4.1% Teochew 3.2% Other: 3.4% (2010 est.) Population: 5,587,301 (2014 est.) Literacy: 96.4% (2012 est.) Source: The World Factbook

4 Historical Overview 4 Singa Pura (from Sanskrit: City of the Lion) initially was a trading center dating back to 14 th century. In 1826 Singapore, Malacca, and Penang incorporated into British Colony administrative unit known as the Straits Settlements (under direct control of the British Colonial Office) : Occupied by the Japanese 1946: Singapore was given status of a separate Crown Colony 1963: Malaysia was formed and comprised of Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawek, & North Borneo August 1965: Singapore became an independent state Educational Administration Ministry of Education ( 新加坡教育 ) controls all schools within the country Source: MOE

5 5 Outline of the Educational System of Singapore Source: mlephil.wordpress.com

6 Primary & Secondary Education 6 Primary Education: - 6 years, compulsory education leading to national examination: Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Secondary Education: - 4 or 5 years: Special Course* 4 years Prepares students for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary (GCE O ) Level examination in four years Express Course* 4 years Prepares students for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary (GCE O ) Level examination in four years Normal Course 5 years Students in the Normal Course can opt for the Academic or Technical stream, both of which prepare students for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal (GCE N ) Level examination after four years of study and upon satisfactory completion, the GCE O Level examination in the fifth year *Note: Starting in 2008, the Special and Express courses have been merged into a single Express course

7 Normal (Academic) Courses years of study (Forms One to Four) Students typically sit for 6-8 GCE 'N' Level exams Those who pass may go on the fifth year of study to sit for the GCE 'O Level exams. Source: Ministry of Education

8 Normal (Technical) Courses years of study (Forms One to Four) Students typically sit for 5-7 GCE 'N' exams. Those who pass may: (1) go on the fifth year of study to sit for the GCE 'O Level exams or (2) continue in technicalvocational education at the Institute of Technical Education. Source: Ministry of Education

9 Source: 9

10 Sample GCE N Levels Statement of Results 10

11 GCE N Level Grading System

12 Institute of Technical Education 12 Source: MOE Established on 1 April 1992 replacing the former Vocational & Industrial Training Board (VITB) Two levels of programs NITEC (National ITE Certificate): all Nitec courses are of two-year duration except for Nitec in Service Skills and Nitec in Beauty Therapy Higher NITEC: all Higher Nitec courses are of two-year duration.

13 13 Sample National ITE Certificate

14 Sample ITE Transcript 14

15 Special/Express Courses 15 4 years of study (Forms One to Four) Some subjects offered at higher level, students typically sit for 7-8 GCE 'O' Level exams Curriculum: Languages Mother Tongue/Higher Mother Tongue/Mother Tongue Language B, 3 rd Language (optional French, German, Japanese, Malay, Chinese) Humanities & Arts Mathematics & Sciences Knowledge Skills & Life Skills Lower Secondary Subjects (Geography, History, Literature in English, Visual Arts, Music) and Upper Secondary Subjects (Combined Humanities), Upper Secondary Electives: Geography, History, Literature in English, Literature in Chinese, Malay Literature, Tamil Literature, Art & Design, Music, Higher Art, Higher Music Lower Secondary Subjects: Mathematics, Science, Design & Technology, Home Economics; Upper Secondary Subjects: Mathematics, a Science subject; Upper Secondary Electives: Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science options, Design & Technology, Food & Nutrition, Principles of Accounts Co-Curricular Activities, Community Involvement Program, Civics & Moral Education, Pastoral Care & Career Guidance, National & Physical Education, Project Work

16 16 Sample GCE O- Level Examinations

17 GCE 'O' Level Grading 17

18 18 Transition to Post-Secondary Education Transition from GCE 'O' Levels to post-secondary institutions is administered annually by the Ministry of Education in the form of the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) Junior Colleges 2 years of study based on GCE 'O' Levels leading to GCE 'A' Levels Centralised Institute 3 years of study based on GCE 'O' Levels leading to GCE 'A' Levels Institute of Technical Education 1 or 2 years of study based on GCE 'N' Levels leading to polytechnic diploma programs (for students with good grades)

19 Junior Colleges/Centralised Institutes 19 From 2008, all students who complete their education at the secondary and pre-university levels will receive a comprehensive school testimonial called the School Graduation Certificate from MOE. It includes a description of each student s academic and nonacademic achievements and personal qualities.

20 A - Level Curriculum 20 Languages: Humanities & Arts: Sciences: Knowledge Skills: Life Skills Mother Tongue, 3 rd Language e.g. Art, Economics, Geography, History, Literature in English, Music, Theater Studies & Drama e.g. Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science General Paper, Knowledge & Inquiry, Project Work CCA, Character Development, Pastoral Care & Career Guidance, Physical Education, National Education, Civics

21 Key Differences to A-Level Curriculum 21 Starting in 2006, students may select subjects at three different levels of study

22 GCE 'A' Level Grading 22 H1 and H2 Level Subjects: A B C D E H3 Level Subjects: Distinction Merit Pass

23 23 Sample A- Level Statement of Results General Paper: 0.00 credits

24 Integrated Programme (IP) 24 The premise of this program is to skip O-levels and take A-levels Introduced in 2004 and is targeted at top 10% of students at top schools only. Students graduate with A-levels, International Baccalaureate, AP, or National University of Singapore (NUS) High School Diploma.

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26 Schools teaching IP A-level/Other programs 26

27 27 National University of Singapore High School Diploma

28 Post-Secondary Education 28 Ministry of Education defines post-secondary education as everything beyond A-Level Examinations The main providers of post-secondary education include the public polytechnics and public autonomous universities A system of private education has begun to appear

29 Public vs. Private Institutions 29 Public Institutions Publicly funded MOE approved Private Institutions No public funding Register with Council for Private Education

30 Private Education 30 In 2009 Singapore passed a Private Education Act which required that Private Education Institutions (PEI) register with the newly created Council for Private Education (CPE) All PEIs must be registered with the CPE in order to operate in Singapore, and to be registered, the PEI must meet the basic requirements in corporate governance, quality of provision, and information transparency

31 Publicly-Funded Private Arts 31 Institutions LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Receive public funding from the Ministry of Education They are not allowed to offer Singapore Bachelor's degrees Source: MOE

32 Polytechnics 32 Currently, there are five polytechnics in Singapore: Nanyang Polytechnic (Est. 1992) Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Est. 1990) Republic Polytechnic (Est. 2002) Singapore Polytechnic (Est. 1963) Temasek Polytechnic (Est. 1954) Source: MOE

33 Polytechnic Programs 33 Full-Time Diploma require 3 years of study based on GCE 'O' Levels or based on a NITEC Applicants with 'A' Levels or a Higher NITEC may be admitted directly into the second year Part-Time Diploma require 4-5 years of study Diploma Courses Advanced Diploma Courses (also requires prior work experience) Specialist Diploma Courses (also requires prior work experience) Certificate Courses

34 Sample Polytechnic Diploma 34

35 35 Sample Diploma Transcript

36 Post-Secondary Grading Scales 36 There is not a standardized grading scale for all postsecondary education in Singapore Most polytechnics and universities use a variation on the standard letter scale Some institutions may use +/- grades or utilize additional classifications such as Distinction Grading practices are clearly identified on the front or back of transcripts Check documents closely to ensure that you are applying the correct scale for the institution and time period

37 Universities 37 Currently, there are three public universities in Singapore: National University of Singapore (Est. 1905) Nanyang Technological University (Est. 1955) Singapore Management University (Est. 2000) Source: MOE

38 University Programs 38 Bachelor * 3 to 4 years Admission requires A - levels Honours degrees are generally longer than nonhonours degrees Master 1 to 3 years Ph.D. minimum of 2 years after a Master's degree *Professional programs in dentistry and medicine are 4 and 5 years

39 Sample Bachelor Degrees 39

40 Sample Bachelor Degree Transcript 40

41 Sample Bachelor Degree 41

42 Sample Bachelor Degree Transcript 42

43 Sample Master Degree 43

44 44 Sample Master Degree Transcript confirming graduation

45 Sample Master Degree 45

46 Sample Master Degree Transcript 46

47 47 National University of Singapore Online Verification

48 National University of Singapore Online Verification 48

49 49 Nanyang Technological University Online Verification

50 Nanyang Technological University Online Verification 50

51 Resources 51 The Connection: Ministry of Education Educational system diagram: New A-level curriculum (2006): and the brochure Examination Syllabuses (GCE 'N', 'O', 'A' Levels) School information service (primary, secondary, junior/centralised) Educational system booklet in English (pdf) Council for Private Education National University of Singapore online degree verification: Nanyang Technological University online Bachelor degree verification: tion.aspx

52 52 Source: NAFSA Region IV Thank you for attending! For a full version of this presentation please visit: For in-depth discussion of educational credential evaluation issues from around the world please visit The Connection: