Singapore

The first two years of the secondary school level are common to all secondary school students and have the same curriculum. Those who want to quit the regular secondary education after the first two years may join the industrial training centers or vocational institutes for job training and become part of the labor market. The third and fourth year secondary level provide specialization in different "streams"—academic, technical, or business education.

On completing the GCE, students may attend a junior college for a two-year, pre-university course or a centralized institute for a three-year course in arts, science, commerce, or technology. At the end of the preuniversity course, students may take the GCE "Advanced" or "A" Level examination. The outcome determines eligibility for admission to an institution for higher learning.

In 1996, there were 151 secondary schools with 185,324 students of which 96,860 were males and 88,464 females. There were 8,779 teachers of whom 3,174 were males and 5,605 females. Of the 151 secondary schools, 97 were government-run with 118,687 students and 5,368 teachers; 26 were government-aided with an enrollment of 29,744 students and 1,579 teachers; and 18 schools were "Autonomous," with an enrollment of 25,038 and 1,092 teachers. Begun in 1994, "autonomous" schools tripled from six in 1994 to 18 in 1996. Enrollment rose from 8,833 to 25,038 and the number of teachers from 403 in 1986 to 1,092 in 1996. There were eight "Independent" schools in 1996 with a student enrollment of 11,257 and 684 teachers. Additionally, there were two private schools with an enrollment of 598 and 56 teachers. The teacher-student ratio in government schools in 1996 was 1:21.

Besides the Ngee Ann and the Singapore Polytechnics, a large part of responsibility for the technical and vocational education is assumed by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The ITE has assumed some of the functions previously carried out by the Vocational and Industrial Training Board. As a postsecondary institution, the ITE's primary goal is to create a pool of skilled manpower for the economic development of the country. According to the Ministry of Education, the ITE gives equal emphasis on postsecondary training to equip teenagers with the skills to enter the labor market as well as to provide continuing education and training for those who are already a part of the labor force and who would like to upgrade or acquire new skills.

There are three programs for upgrading skills of existing workers who take evening courses on a part time basis. The Certificate of Competency (COC) and national Technical Certificate (NTC) are awarded to those existing workers who acquire a new skill or upgrade an old one. Special programs address specific kinds of workers. The Modular Skills Training (MOST) is meant for workers with a Primary School Leaving Examination. Training Initiative for Mature Employees (TIME) is meant for workers of the age of 40 and above, while its counterpart for 20 to 40 years old is called Adult Cooperative Training Scheme (ACTS).

The ITE provides fulltime training to those who hold a GCE "O" and "N" level qualifications. It provides technical training, leading to the Industrial Technician Certificate (ITC) and the National Technical Certificate Grade 2 (NTC-2). Those who take business courses get the Certificate in Business Studies (CBS) and the Certificate in Office Skills (COS).

Students who leave school with fewer than 10 years of education or who do not pass the examination at the end of 10 years of schooling still are rewarded. The ITE awards the National Technical Certificate-3 (NTC-3) to those who complete their training at the Vocational Training Center. These students may also join an apprenticeship scheme that allows them to learn while they earn. Such on-and off-the-job training is provided either in ITE's centers or in those managed by private companies approved by the ITE. Most apprenticeship courses lead to the National Technical Certificate examinations. The holders of the certificates are absorbed by industry at the appropriate level of skilled work.

Besides industrial apprenticeships, there are also those leading to a Certificate in Health Care, Certificate in Travel Services, and Certificate in Retailing (Sales and Customer service), all awarded by the Institute of Technical Education. In 1996, the ITE had 11 centers with a combined full-time enrollment of 8,233, of which 5,968 were males and 2,265 were females. There were 1,212 on the teaching staff of whom 891 were males and 321 were females.