Theoretical discussion on forms of cultural capital in Singapore

This article is a theoretical discussion on five forms of cultural resources that constitute cultural capital for children in the meritocratic yet stratified society of Singapore. These five forms of cultural capital are namely ‘academic’ tastes and leisure preferences, use of Standard English, access to and dispositions toward information communication technology, acquisition of learning skills, and confidence/learning dispositions. They cover two important aspects of cultural capital—namely objectified and embodied components—that may vary in levels with social class and that mediate the influence of social class on children’s academic achievement. Equally importantly, the focus on one societal context—in this case, Singapore—recognizes the contextual specificities of cultural capital in form and consumption pattern among individuals.postprin

Organisational legitimacy of the Singapore Ministry of Education

This paper analyses the perceived organisational legitimacy of the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) in preparing the population for work in the knowledge-based economy (KBE). It is argued that challenges to MOE’s legitimacy are emerging with ramifications that are difficult to ignore. These challenges relate to equipping the population with KBE attributes and developing diverse forms of talents in students. To maintain organisational legitimacy, education authorities need to work more closely with stakeholders to develop forward-looking learning eco-systems in schools where teaching is professionalised, assessments are responsibly leveraged, student talents are nurtured, and external stakeholders are involved.postprin

Do increased professionalism and school autonomy explain the success of the world's leading education systems? Multiple pathways: the case of Singapore

Congress Theme: Education Systems for School Effectiveness and Improvement: Exploring the AlternativesPaper 4In recent years, the availability of international comparative data on student performance has led to a proliferation of analyses on the developmental trajectories of education systems around the world. In the barrage of published findings emanating from these studies, there is a discomforting articulation that all education systems, regardless of their socio-cultural and political contexts, will inexorably converge in their developmental trajectories. Two organisations in particular - OECD through its PISA 2012 report, and McKinsey & Co. through its reports on the progression of ...postprin

Placenta praevia: Preach and perception

Placenta praevia is a known obstetric condition that causes complications to mother and fetus. This study was done to evaluate the knowledge of placenta praevia amongst the obstetric patients. A cross sectional study was carried out in Hospital Ipoh, Perak among 323 antenatal and postnatal patients. Socio-demographic parameters (ie age, race, parity, occupation, educational level) and history of placenta praevia were studied in relation to level of knowledge and attitude towards placenta praevia. Twenty (6.2%) from 323 women had current or past history of placenta praevia. Three had history of placenta praevia while 17 had current placenta praevia with prevalence of 5.3%. The mean score of knowledge achieved by patients was 11.8 which indicated overall poor knowledge. Occupation, level of education and history of placenta praevia were found to have a relationship with level of knowledge regarding placenta praevia in all obstetric patients. There was a significant relationship between attitude of patients with current and history of placenta praevia to level of knowledge regarding placenta praevia. (p=0.037, <0.05). In conclusion, the knowledge and attitude towards placenta praevia among obstetric patients in Hospital Ipoh was better in those who had higher education status, white-collar occupation and currently pregnant with placenta praevi

Predictors of information technology integration in secondary schools: Evidence from a large-scale study of more than 30,000 students

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Comparing digital badges-and-points with classroom token systems: Effects on elementary school ESL students' classroom behavior and English learning

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Explaining the success of the world’s leading education systems: The case of Singapore

International comparative data on student performance has led McKinsey&Company, among others, to suggest that education systems will inexorably converge in their developmental trajectories with principals and schools enjoying more autonomy. This article challenges these assumptions through referencing Singapore where schools and professionals are still tightly controlled in key resources, curricula and assessment, and where other key factors contribute to its success – thereby evidencing multiple pathways to success.postprin

How a 'top-performing' Asian school system formulates and implements policy: The case of Singapore

This article analyses the paradox inherent in the ‘top-performing’ yet tightly controlled Singapore education system. As government controls have increased in complexity, existing policymaking conceptual heuristics in accounting for centre-periphery relationships appear inadequate. It argues that more direct government control is being replaced by ‘steering through paternalism from close proximity’, reflecting a more subtle centre-periphery relationship in an Asian context.postprin

Anodic-oxide-induced interdiffusion in quantum wells structure

Enhancement of interdiffusion in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells (QWs) due to anodic oxides was studied. Photoluminescence and diffused QW modeling were used to understand the effects of intermixing on the QW structure. The activation energy is similar to those obtained from SiO 2 cap annealed quantum well structures.published_or_final_versio