Education

By the 1990s, primary education was virtually universal. There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at age six. The gross enrolment ratio for all levels combined is 64% (2006). The pupil-teacher ratio for primary is 23:1 and for secondary 18:1. The school year starts in January. Secondary education is streamed at three levels, according to measured ability, leading to junior college or vocational institutions.

The principal universities are National University of Singapore (founded in 1905), Nanyang Technological University (1981, as Nanyang Technological Institute), Singapore Management University (2000, the first private university) and SIM University (2005, also private). National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University each had more than 30,000 students in 2009. Singapore Management University, with some 6,000 students, offers accountancy, business management, economics, information systems, law, and social sciences. SIM University's academic programmes are aimed at working professionals. A new public university, located at Changi, is due to open in 2011.

Other tertiary institutions include Singapore Polytechnic (founded 1954), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (1963), Temasek Polytechnic (1990), Nanyang Polytechnic (1992), National Institute of Education and Institute of Technical Education (1992). Co-operation between industry and technological education is well developed and retraining and education for older adults is an important goal. Illiteracy among people aged 15-24 is 0.3% (2006).

The Ministry of Education's long-term vision is of a nation of thinking and committed citizens, conscious of their responsibilities to family, society and country, capable of meeting the challenges of the future and able to create an education system geared to the needs of the 21st century.