Thursday, 09 July 2009
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PM Lee: Singapore's Education Reforms
... Singapore's leaders not only placed heavy emphasis on education - providing the funds for it and garnering parents' support - but also shielded it from politics. 'Teachers can do what they need to do and not have their work disrupted or confused by extraneous political considerations which are educationally unsound,' he said to applause from 1,500 principals and teachers from 40 countries who were at the opening.
Other key factors accounting for the success of Singapore's education system were: having capable principals backed by competent teachers; giving schools the means to customise programmes to students' needs; and providing strong, but not too heavy-handed central support and guidance.
Mr Lee spent the bulk of his speech laying out Singapore's experience in reforming its education sector - underscored by what educators see as a managed, but responsive approach - as well as taking stock of what the changes had achieved.
Mr Lee said the reforms, particularly the second wave, took a long time and required persistent efforts to take effect. But they have borne fruit. Schools are developing their own identities and expertise, there is a high standard across the board in all schools, and a number of outstanding schools and many models of success have emerged. Students are also well-educated, employable and have a sense of social responsibility.
Efforts to improve the system will continue, Mr Lee said. These include recruiting more teachers, who must be graduates, from 2015; having a stronger body to champion professional development; rebalancing the curriculum to emphasise 'soft' skills; and creating more pathways to success.
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This one, I have to agree with PM Lee.
When I was in school my teacher introduced politics to me. Bad teacher. Look at me now, a bad citizen.
He is right about thecentssense of social responsibility. I believe we should not need students who grow up with politics in their heads. Students like... SIEW Kum Hong, Slyvia LIM, LOW Khia Thaing, CHIAM See Tong, Dr CHEE Soon Juan and JB Jeyaratnam. Look at them, they are not making money for Singapore.
Q: How does one, through an education system which sheilds it's students from politics, help groom leaders of tommorow?
A: Why groom real politicians when our country focuses on GDP, Meritocracy, Market Conditions and Pegged Salaries to Millionaires. We need business tycoons to run this country. Econmic Tycoon, Transport Tycoon, Education Tycoon, Police Tycoon, Singing Song Tycoon and one CEO and his son, and maybe grandson, to run this country. Democracy for you.Singapore Inc for you.
And we need "students are also well-educated, employable and have a sense of social responsibility" to run this country, not run away from, so that you and I can stick up more Phua Chu Kang + Rosy posters in buses and MRT.
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Comments (12)
SIEW Kum Hong, Slyvia LIM, LOW Khia Thaing, CHIAM See Tong, Dr CHEE Soon Juan and JB Jeyaratnam trying to teach people to speak up for their rights but then...haiz..look at them...
@princessMic - That's why we cannot depend on them...we have fight together with them.
@ErniesUrn - saying is easier than done.
@princessMic - Easier said than done. Not about easy ...it's about ..if given the opportunity for change, would you do it?
@ErniesUrn - given a chance to change but at the expense of sacrificing your career, your future , your financial stability, your family ..will u do it?
@princessMic - Wah ..sound like going to war like that...I meant voting ...
@ErniesUrn - no lah. is not like going on war. I mean even if u vote, will it help?
@princessMic - Yes it does. You know Slyvia Lim? in 2006 GE, she and her Worker Party GRC lost to George Yeo's GRC (ALJUINIED) 43.9% VS 56.1%. Close fight. And she was appointed NCMP and given a seat in Parliment because she came strongest of the other losing wards. http://www.singapore-elections.com/parl-2006-ge/aljunied-grc.html
So Aljunied residents demonstrated something, courage. They have got her voice in there. Anyway, it's not about being a politician but it's about knowing who is saying what (MPs) that will affect our lives. Atleast it lets you feel in the dark, then not get lost in the dark. :)
@ErniesUrn - haha. well, i wasnt even given the opportunity to vote since i reach voting age..so...dont think i will get the chance to voice also
@princessMic - Yeah I was afraid you were going to say that. It's unfortunate, I knew there are alot Singaporeans trapped within this political system. Many want to vote, by my guess is PAP will not take this chance to let people vant vote. And will say that there are lousy oppositions, and on the other hand, they criminalise those who talk bad about them. Sigh sad state. How to find happiness in Singapore? People are just generally saddened.
@ErniesUrn - well, sometimes is better off move out or just keep your eyes closed all the time. Eat, Sleep , Work everyday
@princessMic - Erm nope, it's never ever better, you still have love to consider, friends to consider, health to consider. Every aspect of your life is a political issue either not dealt with, over overly dealt with. So most would opt to migrate, but when they do migrate, they are another piece of the political system over there. you'll be treat as foreigners who try to steal locals jobs. :)
The spirit of a Singapore is now such that, in the face of oppression, many just lie down and be stepped on. There will be a few who stand there ground and speak up but then their voices will echo. :)
I've always notice my uncles and aunties are more "knowledgable" about their Life because of their political past in Singapore. They knew what they want so they voted in a opposition party. PAP. And PAP won the election. History is important to know your roots of happiness. Family trees are also good. Cheers!