Holistic primary education

Primary education in Singapore is carried out over six years and is aimed at building strong foundations in languages (English and Mother Tongue), Mathematics and Science. Students also undergo lessons in moral education, physical education, and learn about art and interpersonal skills. Together, these subjects provide a well-rounded experience that develops students in five main areas: moral, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic. The move towards a holistic primary education in Singapore in recent years seek to develop the child's ability to master knowledge, nurture his or her thinking skills, inspire creativity and build up character. This will prepare our children to deal with the many challenges they will face in the future. Even as we devote attention to a child's academic performance, we should also equip the child with important life skills so that he or she can thrive in a world shaped by globalisation, information technology and a knowledge-based economy.

Learning subjects

Students need to sit for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) before they complete their six-year primary school education. Their performance in this nationwide examination will determine if they can gain admission into a school of their choice, unless the child applies to a secondary school under the Direct School Admission exercise. Therefore, many parents feel particularly anxious about their child's PSLE results.

The four PSLE examination subjects are English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics and Science. Science in taught from Primary 3 onwards. Subject-based Banding begins in Primary 5 where the school arranges for the child to take subjects at the level that best meets the child's learning abilities.

Non-examination subjects and courses include Social Studies, Art, Music, Civics and Moral Education, Physical Education, Health Education, Pastoral Care and Career Guidance, National Education and Co-curricular Activities.

Tips for parents

As parents, we have hopes for our children to do well academically. The following suggestions may be helpful in giving parents mental preparation as you try to ensure that your child's education gets off to a good start:

• Although academic results are important in primary education, it is not everything.
• The education journey is a long one and learning is a life-long process. It is very important for the child to enjoy learning and not feel pressured in school.
• Encourage your child to take part in activities outside of class. In addition to offering a more varied school life, this also allows the child to pick up good interpersonal skills. More importantly, these life skills will put him in good stead to handle various difficulties and challenges in the future.
• One of the strengths of the Singapore education system is the availability of different programmes that cater to the different learning abilities of students. If your child is assigned to a programme where the learning requirements are lower, do not be disappointment. A child needs constant encouragement to forge ahead in the path of learning. As long as the child does not give up, he or she will be able to complete the education process at the level that is most appropriate to his or her learning abilities.
• Parents should actively participate in school activities to learn more about the child's school life. Work hand-in-hand with the school and teachers to be a partner in your child's learning and growing process.
• It is inevitable that your child may run into small problems in school, whether in terms of studies or in interactions with others. Communicate with the teachers to find out more if this happens. Work together calmly to help your child grow. Do not be too anxious to assign blame.
• Do not let your child feel that things can be taken for granted. Children should learn how to treasure what they have and respect others. A happy child is one who knows how to count his or her blessings.

As the Chinese idiom goes, "It takes ten years to grow a tree but a hundred years to create a generation of well-educated individuals." We should not be concerned only with our children's immediate academic performance. Work actively with your child's school, and you will be able to provide an ideal learning environment for your child. We hope to see every child learn with joy and develop healthily.

Contributed by:
Mr Ngoh Choon Ho
Principal
Hong Wen School

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小学教育：漫长学校教育的开始

引言

孩子一天天长大，很快地就得正式入学，开始漫长的学习旅程。身为父母，我们都非常关注孩子在学习方面的成长，父母都宁可省吃俭用，辛勤工作，有的甚至抛开舒适的生活环境，为的就是希望给孩子最好的教育。

儿童是国家未来的主人翁，国家未来的发展，取决与教育是否办得成功。所以，国家对教育的投资是巨大的，政府对教育的重视是不言而喻的。

新加坡的教育在国际享有崇高的地位，我们也积极地把新加坡开发成为国际教育中心。或许不是十全十美，但新加坡的教育肯定是有一定特色的。这一系列的新加坡小学教育简介，目的是提供给关心孩子的小学教育的家长作为参考，不代表新加坡教育部的意见。

全面小学教育

新加坡的小学教育是六年制。整个课程目标是为孩子提供基本的语文（英文与母语）的能力，数学与科学的基础，以及孩子在品德、体育、美学和群体生活体验的学习，最终达致德、智、体、群、美五育的全面教育。除此之外，为了准备孩子未来将面对的种种挑战作好准备，新加坡的小学教育近几年来也不断地进行多方面的改革，主要是让孩子们掌握资讯、思维能力、启发创意以及品格各方面的训练，希望在注重孩子学习成绩的同时，我们也能为孩子准备一些重要的生活技能，以应付全球化、资讯化、知识型经济的世界。

学习科目

孩子在完成六年的小学教育之前，得参加一项"小学离校考试"。这是一项全国性的统一考试，孩子们是否能分配到自己心仪的中学，考试成绩将是决定的因素，除非孩子是通过自选中学的途径报读中学。很多家长也因为这个因素而对孩子的学业成绩特别紧张。

小学的考试科目有四科：英文、母语、数学与科学。科学由小三开始学习，这些考试科目在小学五年级开始，校方将依据学生的学习能力，安排不同的学习进度课程，进行分科分班，让孩子学习。

其他非考试科目及课程计有：社会学、美术、音乐、好公民与道德教育、体育、卫生与健康、生活与职业、国民教育以及课程辅助活动。

给家长的几点建议

我们都战战兢兢地希望孩子能得到最好的教育，如何才能让孩子的学校教育有一个好的开始，我想以下几点建议或许对家长在心态上的准备是重要的：

• 虽然学业成绩在新加坡的小学教育还是重要的，但学业成绩绝对不是小学教育的唯一。
• 教育的路途是漫长的，学习是终身的。孩子在小学最重要的是让他感觉学习是愉快的，而不是充满压力的。
• 积极鼓励孩子参加课程以外的各种活动，让孩子的小学生活多姿多彩，从而学习各种待人处事的技能。这些生活技能对他日后是否能处理及应付各种生活中的困难及挑战，是更为重要的。
• 新加坡教育的一个优点就是能顺应孩子的学习能力，有不同的课程，让孩子愉快地学习。如果孩子被安排学习要求比较低的课程，不能对孩子表露失望。孩子需要的是不断的鼓励，在学习的道路上勇往直前。只要不放弃，每个孩子都能在新加坡的教育体制下，最终完成个人能力所及的教育程度。
• 家长应积极、主动参加学校的活动，了解孩子的学校生活，与学校配合，与老师成为孩子学习与成长过程的伙伴。
• 孩子在学校里，在学习、与人共处时难免会出现一些小问题。多与老师沟通，多方了解，心平气和地一起帮助孩子成长，不要急着兴师问罪。
• 不要让孩子觉得一切都是理所当然。让孩子学习珍惜拥有的一切，学习尊敬、尊重他人。懂得感激、感恩的孩子是最幸福的。

十年树木，百年树人，我们不能只顾孩子眼前的学业成绩。

教育一个孩子，靠的是整个社会的力量，家长必须与学校积极配合，才能给孩子提供一个最理想的学习环境。

但愿每个在新加坡教育体制下的孩子都能愉快地学习、健康地成长。