Singapore’s education system

Singapore is renowned for its world-class education system with first-rate primary and secondary schools teaching primarily in English. Education is compulsory for citizens aged 7 to 16, with most children attending kindergarten for three years beforehand. Teaching is primarily in English, perfect for anyone worried about language barriers, though students also learn Mother Tongue Languages (Chinese, Malay, or Tamil).

Planning education in Singapore? Find educational services and international schools to support your family's needs.

How Is Education Structured in Singapore?

Children in Singapore usually attend primary school for six years. Before leaving, they take Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) which determines their secondary education level. After another four or five years of teaching, they take national exams called GCE O-Levels. Academically inclined students can then pursue A-Levels from ages 17 to 18 while others might prefer vocational training at polytechnic institute or specialist programs at sports/arts college. Secondary school system was originally known for its rigid placements with students' primary school exam results determining whether or not they would attend university. Sweeping reforms for 2024 academic year have introduced more flexible form of streaming.

Primary Education in Singapore

Primary school in Singapore runs for six years starting when children are either 6 or 7 years old and finishing when they are 12 or 13. This stage is compulsory and overseen by Ministry of Education. Public primary school curriculum focuses primarily on English language, mathematics, and Mother Tongue Language. There are also plenty of other subjects on offer including art, music, physical education, social studies, and science. Academic year begins in January and concludes in November with periodical school breaks in between. Public primary education in Singapore is not free. It uses tiered fee system with different prices for Singaporean citizens, permanent residents, expats from ASEAN countries, and those from rest of world. Citizens may pay as little as S$6.50 per month while expats from non-ASEAN countries pay over S$800 per month.

Secondary Education in Singapore

Secondary school is compulsory until age 16. There's clear divide between public and private system in Singapore: while former streams students into three different categories based on their achievements in primary education, latter does not. At end of primary education, children attending public institutions take Primary School Leaving Examination which determines type of secondary school they will attend. From 2024, Ministry of Education overhauled streaming system. Originally, students were divided into Express stream, Normal (Academic) stream, and Normal (Technical) stream. In new system, primary school leavers will still be sorted into three groups with highest achievers being given more academically demanding curriculum. At end of secondary school, all students will take new Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC).

The International Baccalaureate (IB)

After finishing secondary school at age 16, students can opt for either A-Levels or International Baccalaureate (IB) both recognized by universities around world. Most students in Singapore opt for A-Levels with 12,405 teenagers taking exam in 2019 in comparison to 2,228 choosing IB. Around 20 institutions offer IB courses in country. Although exams share same name, Singapore's A-Levels are not same as British A-Levels. While students in UK typically undergo mixture of coursework and exams to attain qualifications, Singaporean system is almost entirely exam-based. Conversely, IB mixes exams and coursework so it may be better option for those who struggle to perform well under pressure.

How Can You Access Financial Aid and Scholarships?

Singapore offers considerable government support for nationals and permanent residents including very low school fees. Government's Edusave system provides funds to citizens which must be spent exclusively on schooling. Those from low-income backgrounds can also apply for additional financial aid while government loans are also available for post-secondary education. Ministry of Education provides merit-based awards and scholarships. Most of these are only available to citizens of Singapore but there are also few for children from ASEAN countries. Unfortunately, no government support is available for most expats. However, international schools often offer grants and bursaries which are usually merit-based. Employer-sponsored education packages are also quite common for internationals relocating to Singapore.

Support for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

If you have child with SEN, they can receive support at mainstream school or else attend SEN school. In local primary and secondary institutions, several programs and interventions are available to meet all students' needs. SEN officers and specially-trained teachers can also work closely with children in need of support. There are several government-funded SEN schools each with different focus. These institutions operate with Special Education Curriculum, holistic program developed by Ministry of Education.