Singapore is considered one of the most competitive countries in Southeast Asia. It boasts a robust education system, a strong and steady economy, and an array of well-known tourist spots. But this doesn’t mean that it’s not facing problems. One of its most significant issues is the declining rates of fertility. In 2020, it experienced a 0.96 percent decline from the previous year’s rate. There are only about eight births per one thousand people.
This decline in fertility rates would lead to a decrease in school enrolment rates. In 2019, only about 235 thousand students enrolled in primary schools. And because of the decline in enrollment rates, experts in Singapore forecast high rates in their aging workforce. By 2025, there will be a 55 percent increase in the employees over the age of 50. They account for 40 percent of the workforce.
There are many solutions to these problems. But one of the things that Singapore promotes is the admission of more international students, especially in secondary schools and universities. As a parent, should you consider admitting your children to boarding school in Singapore? Here are the reasons why you should.
The Robust Education System
If there’s one thing that Singapore is known for, it is its competitive education system. It can easily compete with the likes of the United Kingdom and the United States. In fact, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ranked Singapore’s education system as the top one back in 2015.
This is because the education system prioritizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. According to the Global Competence test, which is part of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), high school students in Singapore averaged 576. This average was followed by Canada’s (554) and Hong Kong’s (542). Moreover, about 46 percent of the Singaporean students reached the highest global competency levels, four and five.
Singapore is also known for its International Baccalaureate Diploma or IB Programme. Sixteen- to eighteen-year-old students can take this two-year program. Through it, they can receive a diploma that’s recognized on an international scale. It gives the students a boost when they’re applying for colleges and universities for their higher education. This program helps the students develop more in-depth skills and knowledge in their chosen research areas. And it also helps them develop emotional and social skills fit for worldwide standards.
Student Life in Singapore
Admittedly, student life in Singapore has never been easy. It’s because the high standards and competitive nature are rooted deeply into the education system. Studies by the OECD found that 76 percent of students experience extreme anxiety before they take exams. Even if they’ve prepared well, they still feel this way. Moreover, 86 percent of students reported that they are constantly worried about getting poor grades in their exams.
To bring down these rates of anxiety over schoolwork, the educators in Singapore continue to develop a style of teaching that’s rooted in engagement, meaning, and value. They believe that such a teaching style creates a more holistic education. And this would lead to improvements in students’ well-being. So, really, their education is more than just memorizing scientific formulas and philosophical concepts. It’s also about understanding how they could be crucial to real-life scenarios.
Instilling Independence on Your Kids
Independence is the biggest lesson that your kids could gain in boarding school in Singapore. Because they would be living in an entirely different country, they would be forced to become independent. It’s more than just learning to clean their own space and buying their own food and other essentials. It’s really about learning to resolve their own problems.
Yes, your kids will learn how to do mature tasks such as doing their own laundry and keeping track of their finances. But with the boarding school setting, they also gain the opportunity to make their own friends. They get to explore the city on their own. And they get to learn about social responsibility not just as students but also as independent citizens.
Even the government embraces the value of the boarding school experience. Back in 2007, the Minister of Education established a boarding scheme for schools in the country. This is to encourage more students to take advantage of boarding school life.
Because the boarding school experience is widespread in Singapore, it’s safe to believe that schools are experts in enriching their student boarders’ educational experience. So if you’re considering sending your kids to boarding school, consider sending them to Singapore. They’ll have a higher chance of joining the competitive and successful workforce of the country.