Problems with Early Childhood Education in Singapore

The educational traditions of the world vary as much as the cultures. Here in the U.S., there is a lot of focus placed on early childhood education. The premise is that the learning foundations are set at this age. This isn't the case in countries like Singapore, where early childhood education majors face many issues in their first few years on the job.

The Facts

The Ministry of Education does not regulate the early childhood education system in Singapore. It is a separate system overseen by the Ministry of community Development, Youth and Sports. The preschool and kindergarten in Singapore are considered childcare centers for children age six and younger. However, they are called kindergartens and last from age four to age six. The kindergartens and preschools are both public and private.

Classification Issue

Despite the early childhood education's separation from the primary and secondary system, it is still a school for young children. Furthermore, it is unlike a daycare in that the young children are drilled heavily on lesson in math, reading, etc. According to a report by the National University of Singapore, one of the major issues with this system is that the children from age four are drilled, tested, and even take home daily homework on the lessons they learn five days a week. Thus, the classification of these schools as childcare is a misnomer.

Output

Another issue with the early childhood education in Singapore is its focus on test scores and not enough on creativity. It is often argued that the children are being taught from an early age to drill and not to play. The four year olds only spend four to five hours a day in school, but those hours are not spent on finger-painting and singing folk rhymes. This early training leads to a young workforce that is lacking in innovation needed in today's global community.

Standardization

In 2003, the country began to standardize the early childhood education in all preschools and kindergartens. The result is a lack of diversity in the education that a child can receive. Parents are forced to place their child in a driven program that has no room for play or to keep the child at home until primary school. Furthermore, the curriculum leaves little room for children who are less inclined toward the academic and more apt for the athletic or creative pursuits.

Theories

There is also concern that the education system in Singapore is not focused on the child, but on the greater good of the nation. The argument is that Singapore children are groomed from an early age to become good citizens who contribute to the economic and social well-being of Singapore. This is speculated to be the reason for the drills and testing.