What are the challenges that the Singapore system of education is facing at present?
One area of weakness we are seeking to address is the very Asian focus on examination as a motivator for learning. Our admission requirements to our junior high schools, senior high schools, and universities are being reformed so that some schools can now select students outside the national examinations by examining various other kinds of merits. We are also opening up more side-doors for those with special talents people who are good at things outside their studies to make our education broad-based and holistic. It is a little sensitive, so we are moving in careful steps but steps that are bold enough to be noticed by parents. Have these changes been quantified at the policy level? Yes, 20 per cent of admissions to our universities is now discretionary. A group of 11 secondary schools following an integrated programme is allowed 50 per cent discretionary admissions. While independent schools are allowed 20 per cent, for autonomous schools it would be 10 per cent. Starting next Januar
