Sources: http://www.parliament.na/phocadownload/media/2016/speech_at_commonwealth_16.pdf 

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/one-year-teacher-training-course-extended-to-16-months 

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/6668d338-1cf6-42a6-be5d-220b02a1faca 

https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/education-system/compulsory-education 

http://www.moe.gov.na/news_article.php?id=215&title=Free%20Secondary%20Education%20to%20be%20implemented%20at%20the%20start%20of%202016%20%20school%20year 

https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/financial-assistance 

3 Key similarities with the education system in Singapore:
1)Compulsory education for children

2) Structured education governing boards

3)Adaption to GCE Cambridge examination system

3 Key differences with the education system in Singapore
1) There is a lack of support and training for teachers in Namibia as compared to Singapore, where teachers are trained

2)Presence of free education in Namibia but not in Singapore

3)Higher percentage of Namibia’s GDP allocated to education

3 key similarities with Singapore's education system:
1) Higher mobility and better socioeconomic status through education

2) Utilising education to help improve defense

3) Providing incentives in education

3 key differences with Singapore's education system:
1) Compulsory education

2) Specialisation in secondary level

3) Discrimination

2) Detrimental effects on psychological wellbeing of students due to highly stressful education system 

 3) Shift to independent learning 

3 Key differences with Singapore's education system:
1) Greater support for teachers
Singapore places greater emphasis on the teachers than in USA. For example, after grade 12, all Singaporean pre-service teachers attend Singapore's only teacher training institution, the National Institute of Education (NIE), where they receive 100-150 hours of methods courses, 35 hours of mathematical content courses, 40 hours of math pedagogy (teaching methodology), and 25 hours of general pedagogy. Pedagogy, however, is always linked to content and the same professor teaches both mathematics content and pedagogy. (By contrast, in most teacher education schools in the U.S., there is little emphasis on learning mathematical content, and pedagogy and content are often taught separately.)

2) Style of learning
Singapore promotes rote learning more than USA. Singapore's education system places more emphasis on grades than in USA, which leads students to be extremely focused on the content tested, rather than creative and analytical skills, which are emphasised in USA's education system.

3) Difference in success 
Comparing the differences in success between USA and Singapore in the mathematics department, analysis of these evidentiary streams finds Singaporean students more successful in mathematics than their U.S. counterparts because Singapore has a world-class mathematics system with quality components aligned to produce students who learn mathematics to mastery. These components include Singapore’s highly logical national mathematics framework, mathematically rich problem-based textbooks, challenging mathematics assessments, and highly qualified mathematics teachers whose pedagogy centers on teaching to mastery. Singapore also provides its mathematically slower students with an alternative framework and special assistance from an expert teacher.

The U.S. mathematics system does not have similar features. It lacks a centrally identified core of mathematical content that provides a focus for the rest of the system. Its traditional textbooks emphasize definitions and formulas, not mathematical understanding; its assessments are not especially challenging; and too many U.S. teachers lack sound mathematics preparation. At-risk students often receive special assistance from a teacher’s aide who lacks a college degree. As a result, the United States produces students who have learned only to mechanically apply mathematical procedures to solve routine problems and who are, therefore, not mathematically competitive with students in most other industrialized countries.

2. Continuous Education

3. Inclusive Education System

3 Key Differences between Singapore's education system and assigned country's system

1. The greatest difference between Norway's and SIngapore's primary education subjects curriculum is the emphasis on students being able to use digital tools. Singapore's primary subject curriculum mainly includes academic subjects.

2. Norway's primary and lower secondary schools are accountable to their local municipalities rather than the national education board. School syllabus are planned by the municipalities, unlike Singapore where every school has to follow a specific syllabus.

3. Norway's desired outcomes of education is very academic driven, as compared to Singapore's desired outcomes of education focuses more on instilling the right character traits. This can be seen below:

Desired outcomes of education in Singapore:

whereas Norway's desired outcomes of educations are

3 Key similarities with Singapore's education system:
1) Similar to Singapore which has a compulsory primary school education under the compulsory education act, Russia also has a compulsory education system for children between ages 6 to 15.

2)Both Russia and Singapore has an education system which focuses a lot on memorisation, this leads to many of the students in both countries being criticised for lacking critical thinking skills and creativity, only knowing the facts and knowledge through memorisation.

3)Both Russia and Singapore provide free basic education. Singapore only provides free primary education while Russia provides free primary and secondary education

3 Key differences with Singapore's education system:
1)In Russia, teaching is a less sought-after job as they have a starting pay of $500+, which is considered rather low to Singapore’s starting pay of $3000+

2)Russia provides free education for primary and secondary education while Singapore only provides free primary education

3)In Russia's schools, students have to take no fewer than 14 subjects (example School 1253) as compared to Singapore students taking 4 to 5 subjects. Although Russia has been trying new approaches to fewer subjects

Sources: 

http://tgpg-isb.org/sites/default/files/policy-paper/28.%20Comparison%20Education%20system%20in%20Singapore%20and%20India.pdf 

http://www.iracst.org/ijrmt/papers/Vol2no12012/18vol2no1.pdf 

 

Assigned country: China

Sources:

 

 

3 Key similarities with Singapore’s education system

 

1.  High stake exams

In Singapore, Students have to go through several high stake exams throughout their school years, namely the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), the O’ Levels, the A’ Levels and so on. A student’s quality of education and future job prospects are heavily dependent on the result of such exams. Similarly in China, students also have to go through high stake exams, such as the Gaokao which is the exam students take after high school to enter universities. This exam also has a direct and heavy impact on a student’s position on the social ladder in the future. 

 

2. Students are faced with high stress levels

Students in Singapore are generally very stressed from as young as when they are in primary school due to high expectation from parents and pressure from peers to do well. Similarly, a strong culture of academic achievement famously exists in China. Chinese students report some of the highest stress levels in the world according to an international survey comparing stress levels in twelfth grade students in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United States. Also According to a recent study in The Educational Review on educational stress, students in China feel the weight of their academics particularly acutely.

 

 

3. Students often have classes outside school for additional learning

It is a popular trend in Singapore for students to be enrolled in tuition classes in addition to the normal school education. These tuition classes reinforce and compliment their learning in school. In China, parents very often enrol their children in tuition classes too. However, in this case there is a much wider range of classes, ranging from academic subjects that are taught in schools to additional skills such as playing musical instruments and calligraphy or even sports like swimming and table tennis.  

 

3 Key differences between Singapore’s and China’s education system:

1.       Discrimination

In China, rural schools often have lesser facilities, quality teachers and funding compared to the urban schools. The hukou system — a residency status that ties access to subsidized social services to one’s hometown — denies rural children the right to enter urban public schools. However, for Singapore, the government provides funding for all schools and resources are equally distributed.

 

2.       Inclusiveness of education

For mainstream schools in China, teachers receive little to no training, funding and support staff to take care of children with disability. More than a quarter of children with disabilities receive no basic education at all. However, in Singapore, 10% and 20% of teachers in all primary and secondary schools respectively are trained and certified in Special Needs to support students with mild special educational needs. Also, there are a few specialised schools to cater to children with disability.

3.       Censorship

In china, education is heavily controlled by the government to further political and national goals, especially when learning about China’s history. China’s internet is also one of the most heavily regulated in the world. However, in Singapore, the government do not make use of education for any political agenda, and education is to allow students to learn and explore. 

https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisa-2015-results-in-focus.pdf 

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/04/15/393939759/the-all-work-no-play-culture-of-south-korean-education 

Names: Javier and Daren
Assigned country: Switzerland
Sources:
 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/11-best-school-systems-in-the-world-a7425391.html
https://borgenproject.org/education-in-switzerland/
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education-system-should-be-aligned-with-needs-of-the-economy-ong-ye-kung
https://swisseducation.educa.ch/en/vocational-education-and-training-0
https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/oct/01/switzerland-university-rankings-invest-research-science
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/by-the-numbers_young-and-jobless--the-solution-isn-t-always-university/40518378

3 Key similarities with Singapore's education system

1. Similar to Singapore, the education system in Switzerland are separated by ability from secondary school onwards, otherwise known as banding in Singapore.

2. Since most students are educated in state schools, they will be learning in an environment that is rich in a variety of cultures, including variations in linguistic backgrounds, with German, French or Italian being the most common languages of instruction. This is largely similar to Singapore as most students attend government schools and mix around with students of different races and ethnicity. We also learn different languages like English and our respective mother tongues with some students taking on third languages.

3. Switzerland also has a compulsory education system for their children up to a age of 16 just like in Singapore. Both countries have a compulsory education of 9-11 years. Home schooling in both countries are also very rare.

3 Key Differences Singapore's education system

1.       Switzerland places more emphasize on "dual-education track", in which young people can become craftsmen in a wide range of fields. Many professional qualifications are obtained in upper-secondary education through vocational education training (VET), while in Singapore (an many other countries) the same qualifications are obtained in tertiary level education.

 

2.       Switzerland invest heavily in research and science. Presence of the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, giving the country’s institutions the opportunity to benefit from collaborations with leading universities worldwide. Switzerland’s success partly reflects the country’s heavy investment in research: it spends 2.2% of its GDP on research and development, double the EU average of 1.1%. While in Singapore, research funding amounts to around 1% of GDP.

3.       In Switzerland, students are given a choice to learn different foreign language. German is the first foreign language to be taught at schools in French-speaking Switzerland.

Italian-speaking Ticino gives priority to French as the first foreign language, while in canton Graubünden there is a choice between German, Italian or Romansh. While in Singapore, it is compulsory for local student to take English and Chinese.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Center_Test_for_University_Admissions

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/01/20/reference/exam-hell-now-not-so-hot/#.WXX07IiGPIU
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/schools-looking-to-better-harness-technology-to-aid-learning-8200446

https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/education-system/compulsory-education

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/10/national/compulsory-nine-year-school-system-kicks-off-japan/#.WXX6R4iGPIU
https://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/interesting-facts-about-japanese-school-system/                        

https://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/educ/01.html

3 key similarities with Singapore's education systems:
1) Competitive environment with high-stakes examinations

(SG) Singapore has high-stakes national examinations such as the Primary School Leaving Examination, GCE ‘O’ levels and GCE ‘A’ levels . Such tests are often stress-inducing and cause anxiety in students and parents alike. It was reported in the Straits Times that a student was harshly berated by her mother for scoring below expectations in PSLE and subsequently referred to a therapist due to anxiety, depression and self-harm.

(Japan) High school students undergo the National Center Test for University Admission. Since the test is only administered annually and entrance to top-ranked universities and colleges is so competitive in Japan, the test has become the subject of scrutiny by many. The process of candidates cramming for the sake of entering their dream college has been widely known as “examination hell”

2) Use of technology in education

(SG) FutureSchools programme launched by the Ministry of Education in 2007 to incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to aid learning. Jurong West Secondary School was among the first few schools to implement the use of an online annotation tool to analyse visual text such as advertisements. There is also an emphasis on computing, with all 1400 students at Fuhua Primary School being taught coding and programming in 2016.

(Japan) Future Schools Promotion Project launched in 2010 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC), which encompasses the use of smart technology in collaborative learning and monitoring the pace of educational progress. In the Japanese education market, tablets in use were worth 26 billion yen in 2013, and are predicted to reach 75.9 billion yen in 2018 (IDC Japan estimate).

3) Compulsory Formal Education
(SG) Compulsory education was first implemented in Singapore in 2003. Two key objectives of such a policy were to establish a “common core of knowledge which will provide a strong foundation for further education and training” and “a common educational experience which will help to build national identity and cohesion.”

(Japan) Compulsory education has normally been divided into six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school. More recently, under the new system which aims to resolve problems such as bullying and truancy that have been attributed to the conventional six- and three-year division of education, integrated nine-year schools are designated as “compulsory education schools” instead of elementary and junior high schools.

2. Use of technology in education

Both countries promote the use of technology in schools and as a teaching tool. Australia has the Broadband-Enabled Education and Skills Services Programme which funds online interactive education projects. Singapore also has a subject called Information and Communication technologies and a Future School programme to promote the use of ICT. It aims to be a leader in the use of ICT in education and to use it to transform learning.

3. Both countries have similar educational goals. At the meeting of the Council for International Education in November 2016, the council set its aim to develop partnerships between people, institutions, and governments at home and abroad, and also to enable its students to compete globally by responding to global education and skills need. Similarly, universities in Singapore have partnered with various reknowned overseas universities such as the Yale-NUS partnership and SUTD-MIT collaboration.

3 Key Differences:

1. In Singapore, most schools receive a curriculum and funding from the government, with only a small minority of schools being private. This is not the case in Australia. Similar to many Western countries like the United States, there is a false belief that private schools tend to be better than government/public schools. This generates a gap between the demand for private schools over public schools. In Singapore, this phenomenon is minimised due to the fact that the government equally provides for all schools, especially at the primary level, to ensure that all students at all schools receive the same standards of education.

2. While Singapore's education system runs smoothly and requires only a few tweaks every few years, the Australian education system differs due to the fact that the government is still attempting to adopt an approach that is most effective for its students. Though many countries have slowly began to merge new technologies into the classroom, Australian educators generally have the sentiment that the implementation of technology has not been done smoothly, and has in fact led to a decrease in Australia's ranking in the PISA Assessment. This shows a clear distinction from Singapore, as our government has already found the "winning formula" for our students, and is able to adapt quickly and smoothly to a rapidly changing global landscape.

3. Interestingly, all public education in Australia is wholly provided by the government as education is seen as the obligation of the government to the people. In Singapore, although the school fees are heavily subsidised by government schemes like the GIRO Fund and EduSave, parents still do pay a certain sum to schools to provide for their child's compulsory education. This is related to the first difference mentioned, as the different types of schools in AUstralia charge different types of fees to the parents. For private schools which are only partially subsidised by the government, parents still do pay a school fee to provide education for their child.

Sources:
http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/3335/cost-of-living-in-australia-school-fees/
http://www.themandarin.com.au/80737-australia-learn-hong-kong-singapore-rebuilding-vocational-education-training/
http://au.educationhq.com/news/40708/reforms-needed-to-better-engage-school-students/
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/australia-institute-report-into-act-schools-reveals-poor-performance--again-20170720-gxezk1.html
https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/post-secondary#polytechnics