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The education system in Singapore is often lauded as one of the best in the world, and its students even ranked first in all maths, science, reading and creative thinking in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2022. However, beneath lies an education structure that exerts intense pressure on students from early to adulthood. Singapore, like many Asian countries, stands in contrast to Western education systems due to the different education priorities and student development, leading to an interesting difference in approaches and societal implications between the East and the West.
One of the defining features of Singapore’s education system is its exam-centric nature. Starting as early as 12, students face the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), a high-stakes national exam determining which secondary school they will attend. The ramifications of the PSLE are profound, as the choice of secondary school often dictates their future academic pathways, university options and even career trajectories.
Students face rigorous national exams, such as the O-Levels after secondary school and the A-Levels after pre-university or junior college that determine entry into junior colleges (JC), polytechnics, and universities. These exams are gruelling and require mastery of extensive syllabi and the ability to perform under intense time constraints. The recent change in the JC Rank Points system was a move made by the Ministry of Education that sought to alleviate said pressure.
This intense focus on exams mirrors systems like China’s gaokao and South Korea’s seunung, where a single exam can dictate a student’s life path. Like these systems, failure to perform well in Singapore’s exams can limit opportunities, leading to immense stress for students and parents.
Singapore’s curriculum is renowned for its rigour, particularly in STEM subjects. Its subjects are taught with a strong focus on rote learning and standardised testing, where students must demonstrate mastery in structured exam formats. Unlike many Western education systems that incorporate project-based learning and open-ended assessments, Singapore’s system prioritises precision and accuracy. This approach fosters discipline and technical proficiency but can stifle innovation and individuality.
The pressures of Singapore’s education system don’t end with exams. Students are also expected to excel outside the classroom in co-curricular activities and external programmes. Leadership roles and external involvements are also considered part of school and university applications to demonstrate the students’ well-rounded capabilities, yet this results in higher stress as many students have to juggle their academic and external commitments.
For many students, academic success becomes a lifelong pursuit. Societal expectations place immense weight on educational achievements, and the stress of academic performance extends beyond students, impacting families and influencing Singaporean parents to invest in their children’s educational preparations.
Several companies have started the ‘PSLE’ leave, in which parents are given paid leave to support their children before the PSLE exams and spend more time at home. Some parents even take one year off in preparation for their child’s PSLE to ensure that a good score would allow for better secondary school options. Many parents also invest heavily in private tuition to give their children an edge, growing the "tuition culture" in Singapore into a multi-billion-dollar industry.
While Singapore’s education system consistently produces top-ranking students in international assessments, the psychological toll on students cannot be ignored. The focus on high-stakes exams fosters a culture of stress, anxiety, and burnout. Students often sacrifice their mental health and personal interests to meet the demands of the system.
It’s important to understand that no education system is inherently better, as each is designed to meet the specific cultural, societal, and job market needs of its region. For example, Western education systems often prioritize holistic development, encouraging students to explore diverse interests and build well-rounded profiles through activities like volunteering, extracurriculars, and leadership. This is due to the surrounding culture that prizes individuality, with even college admissions having a strong philosophy of innovation and diversity. Meanwhile, Singapore’s education system is designed to cultivate academic excellence and practical skills, producing highly capable individuals who can thrive in a competitive and fast-paced environment and align with the country’s emphasis on innovation and economic growth.
In today’s era of globalization, where adaptability and creative problem-solving are key, fostering greater freedom, creativity, and critical thinking—similar to Western models—can help students thrive in a rapidly changing world. Singapore should strive to balance its rigorous education system with an innovation-driven approach, encouraging creativity and greater individuality to position students to succeed in industries shaped by technology and global collaboration.
Reducing reliance on high-stakes exams and promoting mental health are also essential steps toward creating a more sustainable and balanced education system. By nurturing both academic excellence and personal growth, Singapore can continue to develop leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also resilient, inventive, and capable of driving progress on the international stage.