New steps taken

2004-01-08 11:24 p.m.

“Many roads lead to Rome” so goes the old saying. In Singapore, it could well be used to reflect the new routes one can choose for one’s education. At the most basic level, one faces at the minimum three years of primary education be fore he hits two divergent paths—to enter the famous Gifted Education Programme or just continue on. Nothing’s really new about that. At primary four, students wave good bye to friends as they are streamed according to the type of mother tongue they will face. Then at the tender age of 12, the PSLE arrives and another chance to enter the GEP is given. After that, Secondary school, where subjects are chosen at the age of fourteen. Finally, JC, where science or arts are the areas of choice.

That was the basic educational routes for many years. Now, something magical and tempting has been given to bright teenagers—an Integrated Programme—a chance to miss the strenuous years of secondary three and secondary four and spend more time away from the classroom and in the outdoors. While their parents and elder siblings endured constant tests and assignments, these specially picked individuals face mainly projects and courses. Many schools have offered such programmes, including my two alma maters—ACS (I) and NJC. The sharp difference is that ACS is pursuing the IB Programme—sort of European version of the A levels which has been around for quite some time—while NJ is experimenting with a four year A Level course. The Raffles schools have joined in this new venture, as have the Hwa Chong/Chinese gang and other top schools.

Miraculously, the idea was accepted by many fourteen year olds. It’s certainly a wonder. Back when I was fourteen, I was happy enough to be heading along the route to the O and A Levels. Now, the younger generation sees things in a different perspective. This IP or “through train” programme is suppose to help students to think beyond the usual mundane work their textbooks or lecture notes, to bring them into the wider world and to venture in new arenas. NJC’s first task to their 129 students is to design a classroom for themselves. Boring task, in my view. Even if I had the chance, I would not have picked this IP programme. It does not seem my cup of tea.

Will studies be sacrificed in place of other pursuits? The details say otherwise. Even so, I wonder how much foundation will be provided to these promising students before they hit the A Levels. For the NJC course, they would have the opportunity to study Economics two years before any ordinary Singaporean student could. However, their economics would not be along the same lines as the standard course. Just how can these youngsters absorb information about Keynes or Ricardo? Or am I underestimating them? Suddenly, we can have people junior to us quoting the law of demand or telling us the pro and cons of a floating exchange rate. Sounds attractive yet frightening at the same time.

Is that what the programme will develop? An elite group of students? Or will they be something we can’t see at this present moment? I also question the consequences of NJC turning into a full fledged IP school? How will the results—as in the A Level results turn out? I may be underestimating the programme and not accurately depicting it as I have only general information about it. Perhaps it will benefit Singapore in the long term as the country moves into the future and focuses on creativity and entrepreneurship.

There’s also another school offering another route, albeit that of not just on studies. The Sports school also gained quite a large number of students. Incidentally, the director, Dr. Irwin Seet was ACS (I)’s old Rugby coach. The school, in the governments view, will give the appropriate environment for those youngsters hoping to forge a sports career. However, critics say that it will be a white elephant in a few years time when parents and students see that sports as a passion can be pursued in normal educations.

Bold steps have been taken? Just what will the education landscape be like in the future? On a side note, SCGS and one or two other top schools did not follow the IP path? How will other institutions fair?

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