Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), which controls the development and administration of state schools receiving taxpayers' funding, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools.
The education system in Singapore aims at excellence for its students, offering various choices in preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. The education system in Singapore supports the development of children’s strengths and social skills. All in all, Singapore’s students produce very good academic results and often pursue excellent careers.
Singapore offers many different schools for all age groups and academic abilities, from primary up to college. There are different paths which lead to a university degree or a job. However, the first steps into the education system in Singapore usually start with preschool. Singaporean children attend preschool up to the age of six, getting prepared for primary school.
After six years of primary school, children move on to secondary school. The education system in Singapore allows students to choose a path at this point. They can decide whether they wish to attend a normal secondary school, a specialized school, an express school — which leads to the "O" Level in four years rather than the regular five years — or another school (such as a privately funded one), which offers a similar education. Post-secondary education usually takes between one and three years and offers a choice of schools, including junior colleges, polytechnics, and institutes of technical education.
Special Needs Schools - The education system in Singapore has a very high quality, but may leave some children who have special needs in the dust. This is why some schools put a special focus on children who feel out of place at a regular primary school. Most schools have experienced teachers who are capable of taking care of children with minor learning disabilities. However, there are around 20 designated schools that customize their curriculum for children who have physical or mental disabilities. That way, kids who do not benefit from mainstream education receive a viable alternative.