Education, education, education....

Would be a useful addition to the Education and Development in Asia essay. Maybe I will do an update five years from now? Remind me hor.

First-class education for everyone
Polytechnics, ITEs to be improved, to develop every talent

By Sue-Ann Chia Aug 22, 2005 The Straits Times

AFTER beefing up university education, the Government is now turning to improving the other tertiary institutions: polytechnics and institutes of technical education (ITEs).

After all, the education system here aims to give everyone, not just an elite few, a first-class education, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

To do this requires good polys and ITEs, and the Government will commit the resources to transform these institutions, he pledged at the National Day Rally last night.

'We must have an education system which offers first-class education to all and not just an elite few at the top...

'We want to develop every talent, not just those who are academically inclined. And we want to prevent the problem of low skills and low incomes from going on into the next generation...

'That's why Singapore works. It's not just because we have a few stars but a strong Singapore team.'

Education is important to give Singaporeans the skills and training for a new economy. It also helps Singaporeans from poor backgrounds break out of poverty, said Mr Lee.

Singapore wants many different models and paths to success. As part of that effort, more avenues will be created for students to cross over from ITE to poly to university.

Even if people flunk out of school, they should get many second chances to make a comeback.

'We are aiming for a mountain range, not a pinnacle. We want many routes up, many ways to succeed.'

He added: 'If you are a teh tarik man, you must be a good teh tarik man, pour the tea and turn around. Not so easy.'

In Chinese, the saying hang hang chu zhuang yuan sums it up: In every profession, there are outstanding and world-class people.

On polytechnics and ITEs, Mr Lee took pains to stress that they already provide a good education. Their graduates are in great demand and are paid well. The institutions are also well-regarded internationally.

The five polytechnics here take in the biggest segment - about 40 per cent - of each cohort.

PM Lee thinks polys can make it easier for some of these students to get a degree.

This process has already started, with local universities taking in more poly graduates this year.

But polytechnics can go one step further.

This can be done by linking polys here with foreign universities to run degree programmes in niche areas. These can be in applied disciplines which local universities now do not offer, but for which there is demand.

He cited some examples. Polytechnics can link up with Digipen Institute in the United States for degrees in interactive media.

They can also tie up with institutions offering degree courses in resort management such as those in Las Vegas and Hawaii, and those in the US and Europe offering courses in culinary arts, childcare and nursing.

Mr Yeo Li Pheow, director of Temasek Polytechnic's business school, welcomed the ideas: 'PM's speech opens up new doors and avenues for polys to explore.'

Currently, Temasek is working with the University of Nevada, which will open a campus here next year, to see how the poly's graduates can go on to do a hospitality degree.

Turning to the ITEs, Mr Lee noted that their brand of education is unique in the world, but they need to go to the next level.

One way is the plan to consolidate the 10 existing ITEs into three main campuses to give students better facilities and more choice of courses.

Students with financial problems will also be helped.

Dr Law Song Seng, ITE chief executive officer, said the institutes have mapped out a five-year plan to be a global leader in technical education and push students to be competitive.

'ITEs are a place where students are able to do well and succeed in life if they work hard.'