About Singapore
1. Singapore is commonly known as ‘Singa Pura’ (‘Lion City’) or Temasek (‘Sea Town’).
2. The Merlion: A half-fish, half-lion beast, is a fitting symbol of Singapore. The "Singa" or lion represents the animal that a Sumatran prince saw which resembled a lion, and the fish is a tribute to Singapore's history as "Temasek", the ancient sea town.
3. Total land area: 682 square km (main island with 63 surrounding islets)
4. Independence Day: Singapore became an independent republic on 9 August 1965.
5. Population: Almost four million, comprises 77% Chinese, 14% Malays, 8% Indians and 1% Eurasians and people of other descent.
6. Four official languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English.
7. Main religions: Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism.
8. National anthem: the 'Majulah Singapura' is actually sung in Malay, though English is the official working language and the most widely used language in Singapore.
9. Symbolism of the National Flag: Red symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of man while white signifies purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise and the five stars signify the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
10. National flower: Vanda Miss Joaquim (was first discovered in 1893 by Agnes Joaquim, an Armenian).
11. Currency: Singapore dollars.
12. Economy: The island state though small in size and population (4 million people) has become a reputable financial centre, a key regional trading centre, the world’s busiest port, and a top location for investment. Often cited as a model for transparency, efficiency and political stability, Singapore has earned recognition from around the world.
13. Infrastructure and Accessibility: Singapore is well connected via sea, air and telecommunications to all parts of the world. Singapore Changi Airport serves more than 60 airlines which fly to over 145 cities and has for many consecutive years been nominated as the best airport in the world.
14. Geographical location: It is 136.8 km north of the equator, between longitudes 103 degrees 38' E and 104 degrees 06' E. Located at one of the crossroads of the world, Singapore's strategic position has helped it grow into a major centre for trade, communications and tourism
Living In Singapore
Climate
The island is warm and humid all year round, with only slight variations between the average maximum of 31 degrees Celcius and minimum of 23 degrees Celcius.
People
Culture and religion remain entwined in Singapore, far more than in the West. Throughout the year, a constant stream of festivals and celebrations in the streets and temples reflects the diverse beliefs and backgrounds of this multicultural society, comprising of Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs.
Cost of Living
The standard of living in Singapore is amongst the highest in Asia. Compared to countries in western continents, the cost of living here is relatively low, and basic items like food and clothing are very reasonably priced. When planning your budget, you will need to cater for these items:
· Accommodation
· Ultilities
· Food
· Transport
· Clothing
· Telecommunications
· Books & Stationery
· Medical/Hospitalisation Insurance
· Personal Expenses An international student in Singapore spends on average S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses. This amount varies depending on your individual lifestyle and course of study. These estimated cost ranges in the table below give a rough guide of the basic expenditure an international student may incur per month.
To know more about the exchange rates based in your home currency, please visit http://www.mustafa.com.sg/forex.asp
Transport
Traveling in Singapore is both easy and economical. There is an efficient public transportation network, which offers taxis, buses, and the modern Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system. With its excellent public transport system, Singapore is, without a doubt, the easiest city in Asia to get around
Food
Eating is a national pastime in Singapore. Furthermore, with the variety of places to enjoy this pastime, it is no surprise at all if the phrase "eat to your heart's content" had originated from Singapore. Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Peranakan, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Korean cuisine, and more compete one another in the "battle of the taste buds"!
Education In Singapore
Education System Overview
Educational Direction in Singapore
Singapore is well positioned to be a Global Schoolhouse- a world-class education hub that is internationally renowned for its intellectual capital and creative energy. This compelling hub will comprise a system of leading international and local educational institutions working together to create a strong education sector to help enhance Singapore’s economic growth. The aim of the education sector in Singapore is to increase the number of international students studying in Singapore to around 150,000 by the year 2012. To date, Singapore has 60,000 international students from major source countries such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Vietnam, with a quarter of these students studying in private schools.
Education does two things: it develops the individual and educates the citizen.
Education is about nurturing the whole child. Indeed, this is the traditional Asian understanding of the term. Education means developing the child morally, intellectually, physically, socially and aesthetically. The foundation of a person is his values. From these spring his outlook on life and his goals in life. Together with the home, our schools have to work carefully and painstakingly to shape the morals of our children. Our children also have to learn to relate to other people - their elders and their peers, people who are like us and people who are different. Education also develops each child’s unique talents and abilities to the full. Education teaches him to keep fit and healthy for life. And education teaches him to appreciate the finer things in life and the beauty of the world around him.
“An educated person is one responsible to himself, his family, and his friends.”
But all of us also see beyond ourselves, our family and our friends, and look towards society and nation. It is society at large which gives us a sense of identity and purpose, security and confidence. In turn, we have obligations and responsibilities to the community. Therefore, our schools will teach our children to identify Singapore as our home; a home to live in, strive to improve, and defend.
“An educated person is also someone who is responsible to his community and country.”
These two roles of education reinforce and complement each other. What we would all want to develop in each individual child overlaps with what we desire of every citizen.
What are outcomes for?
Knowing exactly what we want allows us to assess how well our education system is doing. In the end, it is neither what we do nor how much we do that matters. What we have to assess is whether all that we do contributes to achieving the outcomes that we desire.
The outcomes of education
The following list shows what we want from and expect of our children when they graduate from our Institute of Technical Education, Polytechnics and Universities.
All Post-Secondary and Tertiary Students should:
-be morally upright,
-be culturally rooted yet understanding and respecting differences,
-be responsible to family, community and country
-believe in our principles of multi-racialism and meritocracy, appreciate the national constraints but see the opportunities
-be constituents of a gracious society
-be willing to strive,take pride in work, value working with others
-be able to think,reason and deal confidently with the future, have courage and conviction in facing adversity
-be able to seek,process and apply knowledge
-be innovative,have a spirit of continual improvement, a lifelong habit of learning and an enterprising spirit in undertakings
-Think global, but be rooted to Singapore
The following list also shows what we expect of our young who aim to be national, community, business or professional leaders.
Potential leaders should:
-be committed to improving society
-be proactive in surmounting our constraints
-have compassion towards others
-be able to inspire, motivate and draw out the best from others
-be able to chart our destiny and lead
-be able to forge breakthroughs in a knowledge-based economy
-be creative and imaginative
-have the tenacity to fight against the odds and not quit
Intermediate Outcomes of Education
What we hope our children will be at each stage in our schools. Each level will build upon what has been done before. It will also lay the foundation for what will continue to be built at the next level. For example, primary schoolchildren start by learning to love Singapore. But at the same time, they will also begin the next stage of learning to know it. When they become secondary school children, they will learn both to love and know Singapore. And they will also start preparing for the next stage, which is to look into the principles by which Singapore is led and governed. There is therefore no sharp dividing line between each level.
Other Information
Drinking Water
It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for those who prefer bottled mineral water, local supermarkets and grocers always have ample stock.
Electricity
The electrical current in Singapore is 240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. Singapore uses the square-shaped three-pin plug. You may need an adapter or transformer for foreign appliances, which are available at most hardware stores.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit traffic of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined up to SGD 1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.
Work / Employment
International students are generally not allowed to engage in any form of employment, whether paid or unpaid, or in any business, profession or occupation in Singapore during the validity of their Student Pass unless they have the consent in writing from the Controller of Immigration. Violators will be prosecuted by law.
Video of Singapore
