Singapore is a country with many things to boast about. It has one of the most advanced and competitive economies in the Southeast Asian region. The people of the country get to enjoy an urban city. But it’s still very much integrated with the natural environment. Especially so with tourist attractions such as the Gardens by the Bay. And, most of all, it’s known for its robust and highly competitive education system. It can compete with the likes of the United Kingdom and the United States.
In fact, back in 2015, it was recognized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as the highest-ranking education system in the world. It beat countries such as Canada and Hong Kong. The secondary school students have high scores on the Global Competence test. This test is part of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Thus, attending high school for international students would be one of the most fruitful, productive, and intellectual experiences students can have.
But even with these achievements, the Singaporean education system for secondary students lacks something. And that is an in-depth entrepreneurship program. As many would like to believe, it’s never too early to study business. There’s no reason why secondary students should have to wait for their undergraduate studies to take a stab at entrepreneurial studies. Here’s how entrepreneurship can be integrated into the curriculum of secondary students.
Business Side of Different Subjects
The thing about business is that it’s always part of any professional and creative endeavor. If we want to become doctors, we have to know the ins and outs of the healthcare industry. If we want to become lawyers, we have to understand the process of running a successful law firm. Even if we want to become a writer, we have to know publishing and marketing.
Secondary students learn about the different subjects in school, such as math, science, and literature. But we can enhance their learning experience by teaching them about the business side of such subjects. They need to learn how to solve mathematical problems. But they could also apply such mathematical skills in studying finance and economics. This way, they’re not just learning about math in such an abstract way. They’re using it in real-world scenarios.
Another benefit to this is that it further promotes a more holistic approach in the education of secondary students. We can hone their entrepreneurial skills very early on. This way, they are being immersed in a style of teaching that’s rooted in meaning, value, and real-world scenarios.
Business Incubators in Secondary Schools
Of course, the Ministry of Education of Singapore plays a huge part in how the education system runs. The system continues to improve and be more competitive on a global scale. This is because of the programs and legislation that they implement. This is why they’re always looking for ways to help Singaporean students be more equipped. They are, after all, the next generation of drivers of the country’s workforce.
In 2014, the Minister of Education, Heng SweeKeat, introduced the Applied Learning Programme (ALP). This program is designed to connect the academic knowledge that students develop into the skills that would drive the workforce of the real world. It emphasizes the application of skills. It also prioritizes the exploration of creativity and innovation. The intersection of different professional fields is also highlighted. Students who are in primary school can start with the ALP in their education.
One of the best ways to hone the skills of secondary students and apply them to real-world scenarios is through business incubators. These are more popular in colleges and universities. Undergraduate students are known to tinker with hardware and software that can contribute to the tech industry. They create mobile apps, robots, and other technological innovations. But making such things isn’t the endgame. It’s just a step to succeeding with their inventions. They also need to learn to navigate the world of business. They need to make connections with investors, marketers, and even future collaborators. And they can develop such business skills through incubators.
Secondary schools in Singapore can also start creating business incubators. This is for their students who wish to launch their inventions. They won’t have to wait for their undergraduate studies. They can start learning more about business and how to launch their creations properly.
The Singaporean education system has already cultivated its reputation as highly competitive and successful. But this doesn’t mean that there’s no more room to grow. Singaporeans can always refine the system and further enhance the education of the students. And they can start with integrating entrepreneurship into the studies of secondary school students.
