Every Child Must Be Trained for the Future ( Article with Examples)
WASHINGTON: Every child must be educated and equipped with the skills that will let him thrive in the economy of the future, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat.
While Singapore has built an education system admired for its high student achievement rates and top-notch teaching force, it must now align its system to cope with the fast pace of globalisation, technological change and innovation.
The world economy will become even more complex and jobs do not have clearly defined boundaries, Mr Heng told an audience of 200 participants at the Singapore Conference here on Wednesday.
Elaborating, he said that the line between manufacturing and services has blurred. And both are also overlaid with the digital economy, he added, noting for example that IT giant Apple sells 'an experience, not just a product'.
On how technology is changing swiftly, he noted how the Human Genome Project, started in 1990, took 13 years and nearly US$4 billion to complete.
But last month, a private company in California announced a machine that will map an entire genome for US$1,000 (S$1,250) in one day.
A more complex economy means a greater variety of different jobs will exist, requiring a wide range of skills.
Said Mr Heng: 'Hence, to prepare our students for the future, it is critical for us to have some notions of the variety and demands of the jobs of the future. The education system can then tailor the right skill sets for each individual.
'Not all the jobs will require academic degrees. Indeed, in many areas, practical, hands-on skills are valued.'
He added that aligning education to industry needs as Singapore does with its universities, Institute of Technical Education and polytechnics will continue to be critical. 'But in whatever area, deep skills, high standards and strong motivation will be needed.'
A strong focus on science, technology, engineering and maths in education should be preserved, he said.
Mr Heng also touched on the diversification of the school system
While Singapore has built an education system admired for its high student achievement rates and top-notch teaching force, it must now align its system to cope with the fast pace of globalisation, technological change and innovation.
The world economy will become even more complex and jobs do not have clearly defined boundaries, Mr Heng told an audience of 200 participants at the Singapore Conference here on Wednesday.
Elaborating, he said that the line between manufacturing and services has blurred. And both are also overlaid with the digital economy, he added, noting for example that IT giant Apple sells 'an experience, not just a product'.
On how technology is changing swiftly, he noted how the Human Genome Project, started in 1990, took 13 years and nearly US$4 billion to complete.
But last month, a private company in California announced a machine that will map an entire genome for US$1,000 (S$1,250) in one day.
A more complex economy means a greater variety of different jobs will exist, requiring a wide range of skills.
Said Mr Heng: 'Hence, to prepare our students for the future, it is critical for us to have some notions of the variety and demands of the jobs of the future. The education system can then tailor the right skill sets for each individual.
'Not all the jobs will require academic degrees. Indeed, in many areas, practical, hands-on skills are valued.'
He added that aligning education to industry needs as Singapore does with its universities, Institute of Technical Education and polytechnics will continue to be critical. 'But in whatever area, deep skills, high standards and strong motivation will be needed.'
A strong focus on science, technology, engineering and maths in education should be preserved, he said.
Mr Heng also touched on the diversification of the school system