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Standing on your own two feet: An examination of Singaporean trainee teachers' perceptions of the primary-to-secondary school transition
Citation
Tay, V., & Hast, M. (2022). Standing on your own two feet: An examination of Singaporean trainee teachers' perceptions of the primary-to-secondary school transition. Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Research, 5(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.30777/APJER.2022.5.2.01
Author
Tay, Valery
•
Hast, Michael
Abstract
Every year, around 40,000 Singaporean adolescents transition from primary to secondary school. This transfer can often be a challenging experience for students and it is therefore crucial to understand how to support them during this period. Yet while several studies examining student experiences of this transition and how they can be supported are available, the opportunities to apply them to the Singapore context are limited. As a result, the present small-scale qualitative interview study sought to investigate seven Singaporean trainee teachers’ perceptions of the primary-to-secondary school transitioning experience and the role they play in it. The findings revealed that post-transition students are frequently perceived as immature, that teachers have high expectations - which may form part of an unspoken teacher culture - and that they recognise the need to foster a sense of autonomy. The interaction of these themes and the possible contradictions among them may impede students’ successful transition. Forms of teacher support were also identified. The findings are used to articulate recommendations on how the primary-to-secondary transition can be successfully bridged through more targeted help.
Date Issued
2022
Publisher
Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Research
Journal
Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Research