Minister for Education Launches Engagement on Strengthening Education for All
As part of the Forward Singapore initiative, Singaporeans are encouraged to contribute their perspectives on education and lifelong learning. The “Equip” pillar of the exercise, launched by Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, aims to ensure that every Singaporean has the opportunity to thrive, grow, and achieve their aspirations, regardless of their background.
On September 5, Minister Chan introduced the microsite for the Equip pillar, urging Singaporeans to share their views. During his closing remarks at an engagement session with students at Republic Polytechnic, he emphasized the importance of making the process collaborative: “This is not an exercise where we dictate what we want to achieve; it’s a living document where we all contribute to what we want to accomplish together.”
The engagement sessions will focus on building consensus and a collective responsibility to provide opportunities for every Singaporean to succeed. These discussions are set to explore five key areas: establishing a strong foundation for every child, creating diverse learning models to cater to different abilities, offering multiple pathways to success, supporting students with special educational needs, and promoting lifelong growth for all.
This exercise, part of a larger effort launched by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in June to refresh Singapore’s “social compact,” will involve a broad range of stakeholders, including educators, parents, and students, in discussions that will continue through November. The sessions will culminate in a large-group engagement in mid-November to consolidate findings.
Minister Chan, along with Senior Ministers Zaqy Mohamad and Tan Kiat How, will lead the Equip pillar. Mr. Zaqy highlighted the importance of listening to the aspirations of young Singaporeans, noting that many polytechnic students expressed their hopes for changes in education policies and the future direction of Singapore’s educational landscape.
Minister Chan acknowledged that academic success is not the sole measure of achievement, with students and teachers recognizing the uniqueness of each individual. The education system’s goal is to help each person realise their full potential, catering to diverse strengths and weaknesses.
In discussing the shift from streaming to full subject-based banding, Minister Chan explained that this change allows students to study subjects at different levels based on their strengths, but it requires additional resources and support from the community, parents, and industries. He stressed that fostering recognition of individual strengths beyond academic grades will play a critical role in the future of education in Singapore.
