There are four general levels of education in Singapore which are Primary School, Secondary School, Pre-University and Tertiary.
Primary School
Primary level consists of 6 years of compulsory schooling and at the end of the sixth year, students must take the national examination known as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The first 4 years of the primary level are dedicated to strengthen the foundation of student’s skills and knowledge while the 5th and 6th years are orientation years to prepare them for the secondary level.
Secondary School
Based on how students perform in their PSLE, they are graded and placed in Special, Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) courses accordingly in Secondary Schools. Different curriculum are used in each courses and are designed to suit the interest and learning abilities of these students.
Pre-University
Pre-University education is 2 to 3 years of education in Junior Colleges or in centralised institutes. Upon completion of their studies, students will sit for the GCE ‘A’ levels examination and upon passing, they are awarded a School Graduation Certificate. CCA participation is also required as it is a consideration factor for admission into University.
Tertiary Education
There are 4 different areas of tertiary education in Singapore and they are ITE, Polytechnics, Universities and Special Schools.
ITE
They are the national authority in determining the skill standards and certification of skills in Singapore. Its main role is to ensure that graduates from ITE have the necessary technical knowledge and skills relevant to their industry.
Polytechnics
These institutions were set-up to train mid-level professionals to provide support to the technological and economic development of Singapore. Polytechnics train students on relevant and specific skills that give Singapore a competitive edge in the knowledge-based economy.
Universities
Its undergraduate courses serve as a preparatory step towards challenges in the working world.
Special Schools
Managed and owned by private schools/organizations, these schools have curriculum tailored for handicapped children.
|