Debated in Parliament on 6 Aug 2018.
Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Education among the students who perform in the top 10% tier for GCE "O" and "A" levels (a) what is the proportion who opt to pursue studies related to information technology and engineering fields in each of the last three years; (b) how do these figures compare to those who opt to study medicine and law; and (c) what measures are in place to encourage more of our best and brightest to consider pursuing their studies in engineering, computer sciences, information technology, artificial intelligence and robotics in order to build a strong Singaporean Core in these fields.
Among the top 10% of students in the GCE "A" level exam between 2012 and 2014, 14% entered courses in engineering or information and digital technologies, while 22% entered medicine or law courses at the local autonomous universities (AUs). It is not meaningful to compare the numbers for those who take the "O" level exams because not all students sit for the "O" levels, such as those in the Integrated Programme.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) encourages and enables our students to discover their interests and strengths through the curriculum taught in our schools and a variety of programmes and experiences, supported by strengthened education and career guidance at all levels. For example, to expose students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), 60% of our secondary schools offer Applied Learning Programmes in STEM domains. MOE also organises Science enrichment and mentorship programmes for secondary school and junior college students. The Science Centre Singapore also conducts a range of science-related activities and enrichment programmes to encourage interest in STEM among the public, including students.
The polytechnics pool their efforts to promote engineering diploma programmes to secondary school students. They hold talks featuring industry practitioners who share why they chose engineering as a career. They also reach out to school teachers and involve them in industry learning journeys and workshops.
Our AUs also offer unique programmes tailored to attract good students with the interest and aptitude in STEM. For example, the Nanyang Technological University offers the Renaissance Engineering Programme, and the National University of Singapore, the Global Engineering Programme. The Singapore University of Technology and Design infuses technology and design into every aspect of a student's learning experience.
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