Learning from Singapore: The Power of Paradoxes

by Pak Tee Ng

Learning from Singapore tells the inside story of the country's journey in transforming its education system from a struggling one to one that is hailed internationally as effective and successful. It is a story not of the glory of international test results, but of the hard work and tenacity of a few generations of policy makers, practitioners and teacher trainers. Despite its success, Singapore continues to reform its education system, and is willing to deal with difficult issues and challenges of change. Citing Singapore's transformation, author Pak Tee Ng highlights how context and culture affect education policy formulation and implementation. Showing how difficult education reform can be when a system needs to negotiate between competing philosophies, significant trade-offs, or paradoxical positions, this book explores the successes and struggles of the Singapore system and examines its future direction and areas of tension. The book also explores how national education systems can be strengthened by embracing the creative tensions generated by paradoxes such as the co-existence of timely change and timeless constants, centralisation and decentralisation, meritocracy and compassion, and teaching less and learning more. Learning from Singapore brings to the world the learning from Singapore--what Singapore has learned from half a century of educational change--and encourages every education system to bring hope to and secure a future for the next generation.

Genres: Education

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 12, 2017

Reviews

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Ng Pak Tee has thus far been my favourite lecturer! Yes, being a Singapore educator, I have attended his core modules during the Management and Leadership in Schools (Singapore). Just like how he is, I ‘hear’ humour and humility in his writings. It is written in chapters that is categorised into “Every School a Good School”, “Every Parent a Supportive Partner”, “Every Teacher a Caring Educator”, and “Every Student an Engaged Learner”, something that I totally can relate, as an educator. I bought this book (autographed) in 2017, and only got to read it just this year. It brought me back to the very basics of the education, the effort that our previous educators have put in, and how we must continue to carry the ‘Olympic’ Education flame and pass it on. Many simple and inspiring messages in this book. Many reminders to appreciate what our pioneer educators have done. Many stories were shared. I read and I was inspired. It is a suitable book that should be passed on to anyone out of the education system who wants to know the insights of a successful education system, at a micro level. For me, I am not passing it to anyone (permanently), but am keeping it as a reminder to do my best as a teacher.

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Singapore's education system and its successes. It is written succinctly and is well structured when covering the issues the education system faces and the philosophy behind each policy and approach.

[Kexin · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading time: 1 week

at first, reading this reminded me of my social studies textbook: written with an agenda, like propaganda but in a way that doesn't invalidate the value this book may have.

this book is an authoritative source. if top-down in writing style and tone initially.

the first few chapters reminded me of motherhood policy speeches, but the chapters on the four paradoxes in singapore's education and the shifts imminent in the future as singapore's education system morphs were insightful. towards the end when ng discussed the legacy LKY left behind when he passed away in 2015 - i admit it, the piece of maudlin attachment i call singaporean in my heart lurched forward and steered my stance on this book towards a seat upon warmer cockles. or, in short: this book grew on me.

i felt the most truthful "truth" in this story was the truth that singapore's stocks remained stable even after LKY passed.

the commentary on 'kiasu parents' was an addition i didn't expect at first, but which segued into commentary on elitism, meritocracy, etc. well. i don't agree with ng's views, but he's objective, measured, and right, even if my young anti-establishment noggin resists admitting that!

my favourite quote in the entire book? "beneath the practical singaporean spirit, still lies a sentimental singaporean soul." - in reference to the slightly uncharacteristic but genuine outpouring of gratitude that ensued after lky's passing.