Singaporean fictional work and its writers

Singapore is a cultural country where fictional writing in English did not started until independence. Short stories boomed as a literary form. After sometime the novels arrived. Goh Poh Seng is known as pioneer in novels writing. As for example If We Dream Too Long published in the year 1972 was broadly recognized as the first Singaporean novel in true sense. A Dance of Moths also was very famous.

Catherine Lim was another famous author in Singapore who was born in Penang. Her first two books consisting of short stories were responsible for her popularity. The names of the books were Little Ironies: Stories of Singapore published in 1978. The other one was Or Else, The Lightning God and Other Stories published in the year1980. The bondmaid in 1998 and Following the Wrong Gods Home in 2001 are some of her other creations. These books are also reachable to the International readers.

Rex Shelley comes from a colonial generation. He starts publishing his books in early 1990. Eurasian was his first novel. He was a successful author. The Shrimp People in the year 1991 analyzes the regional Eurasian community. This book was awarded with a National Book Prize. He won the prestigious S.E.A. Write Award in 2007.

Han May is a famous writer in Singapore carrying the pseudonym of Joan Hon. She is popularly known for her non-fiction books. Star Sapphire in 1985 was a science-fiction romance that won a High Commendation Award. The Book Development Council of Singapore gave this award in 1986. She again won the same award for her another work in the same year. The book is known as Relatively Speaking on her family and childhood memories.

Gopal Baratham was a neurosurgeon. He started as a short story writer but in later years he wrote some books that were politically charged. A Candle or the Sun and Sayang in 1991 faced some argument when they were first published.

Educational institutions in Singapore

The names of some of the educational institutes are given below. These are worth mentioning and you can also give a look on the specification when you are thinking of one for your kid.

MBA Angels Pte Ltd: This school in Singapore is located at Cambridge Child Development Center at Bukit Timah. Cambridge Child Development Centre i.e. CCDC believes that each child is an unparalleled individual. He or she has the potential to be the best. The school provides customized childcare to every student. The main purpose is to provide scaffolds that will help each individual to get extreme proficiency through the comprehensive childcare collection. Some of the childcare activities include: the best developmentally appropriate pre-school programs that caters to the individual needs. These also see to the children on the whole. The students feel extremely comfortable with this program as these are designed to do so.

A quality enrichment program is the second program which also includes in the childcare activities. This provides every student a stimulating, loving, and conducive learning environment. A parental involvement program is also there in which they allow parents and CCDC be partners in children’s learning.

The main point is the total developmental growth of each student and this is the keyword of this school. It can be mentioned that CCDC is more than just a childcare because this centres consider children’s physical needs and also provide high quality programs and positive learning experience that will nurture their holistic growth. The wide range of preschool enrichment programs yield an excellent ground for children just to formulate their physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills. It also looks into their self esteem and personal attributes.

United Educare Centre: The location of the school is 35 Lotus Ave in Singapore. This is an International pre-school that includes playgroup, nursery and kindergarten. The percentage is high is expatriate children and the age limit is 18mths to 6yrs.

Places to educate your child in Singapore

Schools are always very important to a nation. Proper education system can bring a huge change to the society. In Singapore, education system is really good where your child can get enough chances to flourish. Names of some important schools are given below:

EtonHouse International: This is an important school in Singapore. The main school is situated at 51 Broadrick Road. At EtonHouse International School, the main motto is to give quality education to all students. They think that it is the right of the students to receive quality education. The school pursue excellence in all that we enterprise. The primary concern of EtonHouse International School is for the well-being and an overall growth of every student.

The school gives constant support to all students in all aspects such as intellectual, moral, academic, and physical development. The ambiance of the school is so encouraging that all students feel energetic. The school environment promotes trust, respect and positive encouragement. The school is often characterized by the laughter, love, and learning and these are enjoyed by all. Often the students organize some cultural programme where they invite their parents and show their extra curricular activity.

The Staff member of the EtonHouse International School is comprised of a mix of expatriate and also local. All of them are duly trained and experienced. Some of the teachers are so innovative that they can really stimulate the child and also provide them with love and care.

Zee School: This school in Singapore is located at 23 Wareham Road. The communication to the school is good. This is actually preschool centre which is very up market. The school usually caters to the expats. The curriculum of the school is westernized and also experiential. In this school compound children learn through play and exploration. The school authority provides all sorts toys, learning materials as well as books to the students. This school truly believes that learning is a continuous process which can become interested to the kids if games are related to it.

Some schools for childcare in Singapore

In Singapore, some of the educational institutes are there which really attracts a lot of parents to visit them annually. The children are safe and secured in these schools where education system is also very good. I can give the names of some excellent schools in Singapore where you can send your child with full confidence.

Infant Daycare Centre: All of us will agree on a common point that a child is really precious in a family. We always see our child’s comfort. If both the parents are working it is very important to see that who is looking after the child. It is possible to arrange the whole thing with the help of a maid. But will it be that worth? In my opinion it would be far better if we can arrange any day care school. In Singapore you can avail the option as there is a very good infant daycare school. You can easily find it as I am giving the address and the address is 298 Beach Road in Singapore.

This is a center upon which you can rely. This premium child care and education centre is just located at the heart of the city. It mainly caters to children aged between 18 months to below seven years old. This organization is managed by an Early Childhood Master’s Degree trained educator.

Pibos Garden Playschool: This playschool is also very famous for caring the child. The parents can be free after admitting their child here at Pibos Garden Playschool. The address is 7 Hua Guan Crescent. This playschool is based on the British curriculum which is specifically tailored for children of varying ages. In this school the teachers follow the stages of maturity of the students just to ensure that they are developing at their own pace.

Languages studied in Singapore

The education system in Singapore is very systematic. There are different language group in Singapore. Student’s can choose from any one of the following groups. The varieties are English language, non-Tamil Indian language such as Punjabi, Gujarati, Hindi, and Urdu language, Mother tongue languages such as Chinese, Malay and Tamil languages, foreign languages such as Japanese, French and German, Higher mother tongue languages such as higher Chinese language, higher Tamil language, and higher Malay language. The last option is other Third language. The examples are Malay language and Chinese language.

In Humanities group there are different subjects. Some of them are mentioned as humanities electives include geography, social studies, history, and literature electives. The other subjects are Literature in English, Tamil literature, Chinese literature, Geography, Principles of Account, Higher art i.e. Art Elective Programme, Malay literature, History, Higher music e.g. Music Elective Programme.

As a matter of fact there are different groups from which a student can select his favorite one. This was he or she can feel comfortable in studying. The Mathematics and Science Group includes subjects materials as Mathematics, Combined sciences such as Physics and Chemistry, Additional mathematics, Combined sciences such as Chemistry and Biology, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Combined sciences such as Biology and Physics, and Integrated Sciences.

Some of the other subjects are also there and the list includes General art, Music, Computer Applications, Elements of Office Administration, Design and technology, Food and nutrition, Elements of Business Skills. Religious studies are also there and the list includes Confucian Ethics, Islamic Religious Knowledge, Buddhist Studies, Sikh Studies, Bible Studies, etc. The O-Level School-Initiated Electives i.e. OSIEs are there which includes Computer Studies, Economics, etc.

The above mentioned list does not include new subjects such as Theatre Studies and Drama and Computing or less common subjects such as Integrated Sciences, etc.

Some etiquette while in business meetings

In Singapore, Western business exercises are quite common. But in general it can be seen that businesses are run a lot like families. The relationships are usually more important than the company. It is usually seen that the women are respected a lot in Singapore business. The women make up one third of Singapore’s total workforce. In formal functions Singaporean man are seen with coats and ties while women do tend to dress a little more formally. The dressing style is somewhat different than in other countries.

In earlier days according to Hindu and Muslim beliefs women should cover their backs, arms, and knees. But present days Singapore has seen a lot of changes culturally as well as in other aspects. It is advisable that in business meetings, talk to your colleagues by addressing them with title and last name. You should keep in mind that many Asian names follow the reverse order of the Western ones. While in a meeting, present your business cards to every other person present in there. You can do it happily in case you have an impressive title. You can also print your name on both the sides of the cards. I mean to say English on one side and Chinese on the other. Using gold ink is preferable.

Some of the employers give their employees a bonus during the Chinese New Year. You can equate it with one month’s salary. Before starting a meeting, it is mandatory for all to employ in social banter. During any conversation try to be enthusiastic but avoid interrupting. In Singapore, Politeness is very important while developing any kind of professional relationship. You have to practice speaking in low and modest tones. Standing with arms akimbo indicates aggression to many Singaporeans. So, try to avoid that. Offensive gestures should be avoided.

Some educational activities in Singapore

In Singapore, there are various activities assigned for students. They really enjoy them a lot. All these activities go along with studies. The students in Singapore can choose their subjects but some of the compulsory Subjects are there for a GCE ‘O’ level candidate and these are Mother Tongue such as Tamil, Chinese, and Malay, English Language, Elementary Mathematics. Combined Humanities are also there. The other compulsory subjects can be mentioned as Science, the specifications are either it should be 1 combined science or 2 pure sciences, one other subject should be there such as Art, DnT, POA, FnN, etc. Candidates must take not less than six subjects which must include the above core subjects.

Some co-curricular activities are also compulsory at the secondary level. At this level all pupils must take part in at least one activity. The participation is graded together with the other achievements throughout the four years. The scoring system is known as LEAPS which means leadership, enrichment, achievement, participation, and service. In secondary level also there are many co-curricular activities offered. Each student is evaluated based in these areas. Performance and competitions are regularly organized. Co-curricular activities are often categorized under the following heads and the names can be mentioned as uniformed groups, clubs and societies and sports and games, and also performing arts. Students can always participate in more than one co-curricular activity.

The main uniform groups in Singapore can be named as NCC i.e. National Cadet Corps, NCDCC i.e. National Civil Defence Cadet Corps, NPCC i.e. National Police Cadet Corps, Red Cross Youth, Singapore Scout Association, St John Ambulance Brigade, the Boys Brigade, Girl Guides, and the Girls Brigade. In those groups students are expected to learn drills where wearing uniforms are must. The main purpose of the groups is to prepare male students for National Service at their age of 18. They also learn skills such as team-bonding and first-aid while attending these groups.

Educational structure in Singapore

Ministry of education looks after the education system in Singapore. Government controls the administration and development of state schools as well as well as private schools. Although the there are distinct differences between public and private school in various aspects such as scope of government aid, funding, admission policy, level of autonomy in the syllabus, tuition fees on the students. Some children who are suffering from disabilities go to special education schools. These are usually run by Voluntary Welfare Organizations i.e. VWOs. Ministry of Education takes care of the funding. In Singapore, English is the first language and more or less fifty percent of children learn English language at their preschool age.

Singapore education structure is very systematic. Kindergartens provide education up to three years and that’s called pre-school. Three to five is the usual age. These three years are normally called nursery, kindergarten 1 and kindergarten 2. At these level children learn how to read and write. They also learn two languages i.e. English and mother tongue. Next to this comes the primary education. The age of the pupil is usually six and this is a four year foundation stage. Two years orientation stage is also included in the stint. Next comes the foundation stage where formal schooling starts. The formal schooling i.e. 1-4 classes provide basics in English, mother tongue including Malay, Chinese, Tamil, etc. Among subjects Mathematics, Moral education, Civics, music, social studies, health related education, physical education arts and crafts, etc. are taught during class 1 to class 6.

Orientation stage comes next. The final exam in school level is Primary School Leaving Examination. This examination is held at the end of primary in class 6 which decides whether the student is able to pass primary school or not. Secondary education starts after passing Primary School Leaving examination. There are different streams such as special, express, normal, etc. In normal education there are two segments namely academic and technical.