Chapter 8: National Education in Singapore Schools: Challenges of Engagement and Motivation

In the following discussion of the National Education (NE) program in Singapore schools, focus is on the standards that are being set for teachers and school management to achieve the goals of the program. Six key messages have been prescribed by the Ministry of Education together with a calendar of four core events to be organized annually by schools for students from primary schools to junior colleges. Transmission of these messages as well as the organization of the events present a challenge to schools, which will be discussed. The structure of the chapter is explained below.

Adequacy is questioned first by considering the preoccupation with the calendar of events among schools. Second, the challenge of linking the activities throughout the different levels of schooling is considered and finally, the neglect of everyday differences that students have to negotiate on an everyday basis.