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The marketisation of education in Singapore: Policies and implications
Citation
Tan, J. (1996, November). The marketisation of education in Singapore: Policies and implications. Paper presented at the ERA-AARE Joint Conference, Singapore.
Abstract
This article focuses on the marketisation of education in Singapore
since the mid-1980s. It describes and analyses several policies and
trends. These include the encouragement of greater school autonomy, the
fostering of competition among schools, an increased private
involvement in educational provision, the growth in entrepreneurial
activities among schools and a greater involvement of schools in
marketing activities. In addition, the article argues that the
Singapore case does not actually involve a free market, but rather a
controlled, or quasi-market. The promotion of such a quasi-market
threatens to exacerbate not only the disparities between schools in
terms of educational outcomes but also social inequalities. At the same
time, it is not entirely clear whether the desired policy goals will be
successfully attained. The discussion adds to the existing literature
on the marketisation of education and its accompanying policy
implications.
Date Issued
November 1996