The All Nagaland Private Schools' Association- Central, (ANPSA) team during their Educational Tour to Singapore.
DIMAPUR, JULY 26 (MExN): The All Nagaland Private Schools' Association- Central, (ANPSA) went on an Educational Tour to Singapore from April 21-27. The tour was sponsored by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio.
A press release issued by ANPSA (Central) informed that the team consisting of 11 members headed by its President, Nini Sekhose visited the Knightsbridge House International School, a primary school following the Cambridge curriculum; United World College of South East Asia where the team attended a lecture session at the Makers space.
The team also visited the National Institute of Education, which is a premier institution for teachers training and education practice (NIU); the Ministry of Education Heritage Centre which offered a glimpse on how Singapore’s education landscape evolved with time. They also visited the Star Publishing House which provided an insight of Singapore's text books, and it’s standard.
Following the visit, the team observed that education is the top priority of the country. Singapore is a small island republic which has catapulted itself on the stage of education very impressively. Its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, who was the Prime Minister for more than 30 years, laid a solid foundation for education and built his tiny republic into one of the world’s economic success stories. Education is the main pillar of that success story, it highlighted.
The team also noted that the Government of Singapore treats education as its national goal and agenda. Academic performance is used as a measure to assess the caliber of an individual, starting from the country’s Prime Minister to the students, it stated, adding that the credit for their highly impressive education system goes to the government for its policies and commitment to education.
The team, during their visits to international private schools in the country observed that the government actively encourages the setting up of private schools and mandates private schools to be financially viable to maintain standards.
It stated the schools in Singapore lay strong emphasis on Math, Science and STEM education while technology is highly integrated into education. It highlighted that schools in Singapore have a meritocracy based system where gifted students in both academics and other areas are given the opportunity to study in special schools meant for them. Schools are allowed to frame their own curriculum and decide on their own niche areas.
Teaching profession is one of the top professions and continuous professional development is encouraged and teachers are valued and respected. Teachers have three career tracks which are flexible-Teaching (Teachers), Leadership (Principals) and Specialists, (Curriculum Development/Government Officers.)
It said education has played a major role in lifting Singapore to the status that it enjoys today. ANPSA, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister of Nagaland for extending financial support which enabled the ANPSA team to explore the Singaporean education system. It also appreciated Edmund Lin, our Special Education guide for anchoring and assisting them.
