Aspire proposals part of bigger efforts: Indranee

[SINGAPORE] The Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (Aspire) committee's recommendations are part of the government's overall efforts to develop a greater applied education framework in Singapore, to complement its wider economic restructuring efforts.

Senior Minister of State for Education and Aspire chairman Indranee Rajah pointed out in Parliament on Tuesday, as the House approved and adopted the recommendations, that the government had in fact already taken steps to introduce applied education in primary and secondary schools here as well as in universities. Responding to calls by MPs since Monday on the need for Aspire to have a more holistic approach, Ms Indranee clarified that the Aspire proposals were part of a "bigger, holistic, (and) strategic move" by the government.

She explained that the Applied Learning Program (ALP) had already been introduced to primary and secondary schools here, focusing on application of real-world skills, which is taught through problem solving supporting tie-ups with industry partners. The Learning for Life programme, which was introduced in 2013 to schools, focused on character education through service learning projects.