These articles were written by Tan Beng Luan, Founder and Principal of Creative O for the Chinese newspapers Lianhe Zaobao. A few were translated into English.
The Prime Minister spoke about the state of education in Singapore in his Teachers’ Day Rally speech. I shall share my thoughts on the following topics that had been mentioned in his speech: parental expectations, methods of instruction, and the possibility of setting up private schools.
CONTINUE READING →I was in a Chinese primary school when Singapore joined Malaysia and I was required to study Malay language. By the time when Singapore was separated from Malaysia, I was in secondary school and continued to study Malay language for two more years.
CONTINUE READING →A few days ago, while attending the Colloquium for Parent Education in Taipei, I came across a handbook published by the Taiwan Ministry of Education, entitled Fathers and Mothers, Please Relax – 8 Q & A for Parents with Young Children. Commissioned by the Ministry and edited by Lin Pei-Jung, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, the handbook consisted of contributions from diverse professionals in the field. The government printed 500,000 copies for mass distribution.
CONTINUE READING →As I recall my childhood, the most unforgettable birthday memory I have is of a bowl of `mee sua` with pork and a hard-boiled egg, which were just for me. This was a very special treat back in the 60s, when standards of living were not high. My maternal grandmother and mother would specially proclaim their wishes that I would grow up quickly and be obedient.
CONTINUE READING →At gatherings of fellow educators, our discussion inevitably drifts towards the topic of the professional training of teachers. Many of them feel that teachers are often passive and reluctant to go for training (“If the management wants me to go, then I’ll go”).
CONTINUE READING →I am not sure when it all first started, but education in Singapore has quietly been turned into a commodity. In fact, the commoditisation of education has become quite a prevalent phenomenon. Tuition centres that are registered businesses have seized upon the opportunity to market their wares as soon as examination results are announced: photographs of students are displayed alongside their examination results, accompanied by statements that attribute the students’ achievements to the centres’ curriculum and tutoring services.
CONTINUE READING →