Historical Development
Singapore
• Singapore was a British colony
in the 19th century
• Achieved self government in
1959
• Became independent in 1965
under the leadership of Lee
Kuan Yew. Early days were
difficult as it struggled to
survive. So he put in place a
series of pragmatic social and
economic policies to attract
industrial investment and so
became a vibrant cosmopolitan
city with one of the world’s
busiest ports and airports as
well as educational system that
has been internationally
acknowledged as successful.
Hong Kong
• A tiny fishing island under
China’s rule.
• Lightly populated but ignored
by China’s leaders and was
under British colony in 1842
• Japan invaded Hong Kong in
1941-1945
• In 1949 it was again under
China
• In 1997, it was granted an
autonomy and became a
special administrative region of
China. (SAR)
• a major shopping destination,
famed for bespoke tailors and
Temple Street Night Market.
South Korea
• was dominated by Japan
before World War II
• received financial
assistance from countries
such as the United States
strongly boosted the
industrialization
• is known for its spectacular
rise from one of
the poorest countries in
the world to a developed,
high-income country in just
a few generations.
• established an education
system that strongly
resembled the Chinese
system
 Video
Singapore

HongKong

South Korea
 The People & Ethnologic Composition
Singapore
5.612 million
Religious affiliations reflect
ethnic patterns. About two-
thirds of all Chinese profess
some degree of attachment
to Confucianism, Buddhism, or
Daoism or to some combination
thereof. Virtually all Malays, and
some Indians, adhere to Islam,
which is the formal religion of
about one-seventh of the
population.
The Christian community has
grown rapidly to become
comparable in size to the
Muslim population; nearly all
Christians are Chinese. Almost
all of the remaining population
practicing a religion is Hindu,
but there are also many
Singaporeans who have no
religious affiliation.
Hong Kong
7.44 million
93.6% of Hong Kong's
population consists of ethnic
Chinese. Most are Taishanese,
Chiu Chow, other Cantonese
people, and Hakka. Most Han
people in Hong Kong are from
the Taishan
and Guangzhouregions. Of the
non-ethnic Chinese in Hong
Kong, many are South Asians --
including Indians, Nepalese, and
Pakistanis -- as well as
Vietnamese refugees. There are
also many Canadians, Britons,
Americans, Koreans, and
Japanese working in the city.
 Singapore HongKong South Korea
Government unitary multiparty democratic democratic
republic with one
legislative house -
Parliament
Official Name Xinjiapo Gongheguo Republic of Korea
(Mandarin Chinese); (Daehan Minguk,
Republik Singapura ROK) subdivided
(Malay); Cingkappur
into sixteen
Kudiyarasu (Tamil);
Republic of Singapore administrative
(English) divisions, i.e. nine
provinces, six city-
provinces and the
capital city of Seoul
 Economy
Singapore Hong Kong South Korea
• Strong economy due to • One of the leading • First world Country
rich natural resources trading centers in the • This economic growth is
flourished with strong world called by some a miracle,
and described as
education system and • Imports most of its
the Miracle on the Han
high quality educated food commodities River,[15] which has
and skilled work force • Serves as entry port of brought South Korea to
and resilient students. China the ranks of elite countries
• Global financial center • Engaged in agriculture, in the OECD and the G-20.
forestry and fishing • South Korea still remains
• 22nd most high tech city one of the fastest growing
in the world developed countries in the
world following the Great
Recession. It is included in
the group of Next
Eleven countries that will
dominate the global
economy in the middle of
the 21st century.
 Educational System
Singapore
Pre-school- optional-( ages 3-6)
Primary Level- compulsory
(age 7-12 ).Take the terminal
examination called Primary
School Leaving Examination
(PSLE)
Secondary Level- mandatory
age 12-17). Take the National
Examination
Pre-university 2-3 yrs
Post Secondary-
Hong Kong
Since it was under British colony it
was patterned from UK:
9 years compulsory and free but
implements 12 years compulsory on
2012. Mostly they attend 3 years in
Kinder
:6+3+3- Basic Education
6 years primary,
3 years junior high,
3 years senior high or 3 years
vocational) Issued HK Diploma of
Secondary Education (HKDSE)former
HKCEE
Post Secondary or Tertiary
South Korea
Primary- 6 years is free and
compulsory
Lower Secondary or junior
high school Gr 7-9 - 3 years is
compulsory
Upper secondary education Gr
10-12 or High School that varies
vocational, general, special,
science ( pupils must pass a
competitive entrance
examination for high school) –
3 years
- after completing High School
they will be issued High School
Certificate and take the College
Scholastic Aptitude Test of 1-
400 and required to pass 250
(some need tutorial to pass)
Higher Education
Education Structure of Singapore
 Video Education Systems
 Singapore

 HongKong

 South Korea
 School Calendar
Singapore
In state schools -
2 semesters:
1st sem- January- May (short break)
2nd sem- July- December (short
break)
In private /international schools the
western standard calendar with long
summer break and several weeks
vacation at Christmas is observed.
Hong Kong
7:30 A.M.- 4:00 P.M- Elementary
7:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M – High School
some stay even until 9:00 P.M. for
extra class.
Academic Year consists of two
semesters –September to December
and January to May
8 classes per day five or six days per
week
 Subjects Taught
Singapore
Languages-
English(Compulsory), MTL
Maths-Elementary
Mathematics(Compulsory)
Sciences Chemistry
(Compulsory)
Humanities
Geography/Geography
Elective + Social Studies
Other Subjects (To my
knowledge) Design and
Technology
Co curricular: sports, music
Hong Kong
Primary – Social Studies,
Science, Chinese, English,
Mathematics, Music, Arts,
Physical Education,
Religious Studies, ICT
Junior Secondary (Gr7-9)-
same subjects with
Geography, World History,
Chinese History, Visual Arts
and Design and Technology
( sawing and gluing
materials)
Senior Secondary (Gr 10-12)
same subjects with Physics,
Chemistry, Biology,
Economics
South Korea
Primary- Gr 3-6: Korean
Language arts, ethics, social
studies, mathematics,
science, practical courses,
physical education, music,
arts, foreign langauge
(english)
Secondary: same as primary
but different subject matter
and technical education for
boys and home economics
for girls
 Grading system
Singapore Hong Kong

Primary 1-4- Achievement band: Grade Scale Description

Band 1- 85-100 Excellent
Band 2- 70-84 A+ 97-100 D 64-66.99
Band 3 50-69 A 94-96.99 D-60-63.99
Band 4-(fail) 49 and below Very Good Failure
Primary 5-6-Stream: A- 90- 93.99 F 0-59.99
Grade 1- 85% and more B+ 87-89.99 IC Incomplete
Grade 2 below 85% to 70% B 84- 86.99 WD Withdrawn Grade
Grade 3 below 70%- 50% Above Average
Grade 4- below50%- to 30% B- 80-83.99 A+ - Excellent
U- below 30% Satisfactory A A- B+ B - Good
Secondary Schools uses Overall Grade System C+ 77-79.99 B- C+ C - Adequate
and Grade Point Average C 74-76.99 C- D+ D -Marginal Pass
Polytechnic (diploma)- Grade Point System Barely Satisfactory F - Fail
C-70-73.99
D+ 67-69.99
 Cost of Education
Singapore
Pre-schools run by companies, community
groups and charities fees may be payable.
Free for all public schools however there
is small miscellaneous fee asked while
independent schools including private or
international schools though partly
funded by government can charge fees
beyond small fees which are higher. There
are 5 publicly funded universities.
Hong Kong
Public Primary and high schools are free
However, you are usually asked to pay a
voluntary school levy per student per
year. You will also need to pay for
uniforms, some books and extra-curricular
subjects and activities such
as school camps and excursions.
Fees for private schooling vary widely.
Classrooms in Singapore
Classroom of an International School
Classrooms in Hong Kong
Classrooms in Hong Kong
International School in Hong Kong
Library
 Language/Medium of Instruction
Singapore Hong Kong
English- as the First language English, Chinese( Putonghua,
MTL is also used (Chinese Mandarin)
Mandarin,Malay, Tampil)
 Features
Singapore Hong Kong
 All students must study 2 languages or  Chinese government is committed to
Bilingualism :English being the life-long adult education post school.
language of commerce, science,  Provides professional training as well as
technology and international huge range of non-degree programs.
intercourse and MTL -Mother tongue  Languages: English , Mandarin and
Language. Japanese
 Preschool curriculum must learn basic
literacy and numeracy skills.
 Fine-tune where students were placed
in different academic tracks based on
the exam results at the Primary School
Leaving Examination.
Top secondary schools were selected to
become independent where school
leaders are given autonomy in the running
of the school
Improved vocational and industrial
training to produce skilled workers
 Challenges
Singapore
 Globalization- increasing inflow of
foreign nationals and no longer
Singaporean homogeneity or singular
culturalism which may affect
incompatibility of behaviours.
 To enhance the professionalism of
preschool teachers since they are
relatively less paid compared to other
sectors
Hong Kong
 Students have 8 classes per day for 5 or 6
days per week, carry a lot of books have
more homework than they can finish.
 What learned in high school has limited use
that can be applied to profession.
 Excessive pressure on students disregarding
creativity in favor of memorization.
 Number of mental health patients is
increasing due to test focused education
system.
 Education system does not fully prepare
students for the world outside.
 Education system determines the path as
early as kindergarten either top performers
or under-performers.
 Education system makes it difficult for locals
connect with Chinese culture and mainland
China
 Approaches (Singapore)
 Teach Less, Learn More
 Thinking School, Learning Nation
 Flexible and differentiated approach in school
admission.
 Schools have greater autonomy to promote innovation
 Balance between learning of knowledge and development of
skills and values to thrive in fast changing and globalization
future
 multi-cultural approach
 Salary
Singapore Hong Kong
Primary Teachers- S$54,634/yr Primary Teachers- HK$ 418,662/yr.
Secondary Teachers- S$92, 800/yr HK$ 25,000-60,00/mo.
For international- HK$ 30,000-80,000/mo.