UK Singapore

Total population 67.22M 5.686M

Number of schools 32,163 430
Number of students 2.66M 510,714
Number of teachers 624,520 51,274

SINGAPORE

To prepare its citizens for navigating this new economic paradigm, Singapore developed a new
education philosophy, “Thinking Schools, Learning Nation” (TSLN). Instead of simply imparting
knowledge to students, “thinking schools” would develop creative and critical thinking skills and a
passion for lifelong learning.

Education in Singapore seeks to achieve our Desired Outcomes of Education so that our students are
future-ready, have a strong sense of national identity, and are equipped with the competencies to
navigate, participate, and contribute to a globalized world. It aspires to bring out the best in our
students so that they are empowered to live life to the fullest, contribute to, and care for their
community and nation. It enables them to develop their interests to pursue their passions and fulfil their
aspirations.

To realize the aims of education in Singapore, our curriculum is designed to develop the character, mind,
and body of our students. It serves to nurture their values and to develop their knowledge, skills, and
dispositions. Our curriculum provides learning experiences for our students to actively interact and bond
with others in both physical and digital spaces. In doing so, they become aware that they are part of
society. Through this, they learn to embrace diversity and collaborate with people from different
backgrounds.

The Singapore Curriculum Philosophy presents our teaching fraternity’s core beliefs about learning that
place every student at the heart of our educational decisions. These beliefs guide the design and
implementation of our curriculum. They underpin our practices and guide our teaching actions so that
every student is an engaged learner. The Singapore Curriculum Philosophy describes our roles, and
those of our students’, in the process of teaching and learning.

UK

We work to provide children’s services, education and skills training that ensures opportunity is equal
for all, no matter background, family circumstances, or need.

At our heart, we are the department for realizing potential. We enable children and learners to thrive,
by protecting the vulnerable and ensuring the delivery of excellent standards of education, training and
care. This helps realize everyone’s potential – and that powers our economy, strengthens society, and
increases fairness.

We are responsible for:

 teaching and learning for children in the early years and in primary schools
  teaching and learning for young people in secondary schools
 teaching, learning, and training for young people and adults in apprenticeships, traineeships and
further education
 teaching and learning for young people and adults in higher education
 supporting professionals who work with children, young people and adult learners
 helping disadvantaged children and young people to achieve more
 making sure that local services protect and support children

Our priorities

Drive economic growth through improving the skills pipeline, levelling up productivity and supporting
people to work (cross-cutting outcome). The supporting departments are Department for Business
Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS),
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(MHCLG).

Level up education standards so that children and young people in every part of the country are
prepared with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications they need.

Support the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people through high-quality local
services so that no one is left behind (cross-cutting outcome). The supporting departments are DCMS,
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), DWP, Home Office (HO), MHCLG and Ministry of Justice
(MoJ).

Provide the best start in life through high-quality early education and childcare to raise standards and
help parents to work (cross-cutting outcome). The supporting departments are DWP and Her Majesty’s
Revenue and Customs (HMRC).