The Hwa Chong Institution

Yesterday we were able to grace the Hwa Chong Institution with our very American presence (as if they need anything else to grace their beautiful campus!) :) It was an absolutely fascinating and very educational experience as we got to learn a lot about one of the top schools in Singapore - something that is not to be taken lightly.

(The campus was beautiful at the Hwa Chong Institution! This is a statute that rests in the center, immortalizing the founder of the Institution)

There are public schools in Singapore, but Hwa Chong is an "independent" school. There are eight independent schools and Hwa Chong is basically the top of everything (or so we were under the impression). It is different because it is a 6-year long education program, instead of being split up into the different schools that most Singaporeans go through. For most, there are six years of compulsory elementary school and then a large exam takes place that includes science, math, English, and a second language, usually Mandarin Chinese. If you pass this exam, you are allowed to go on to junior high for four years. After junior high there are O (for Ordinary) level exams. Even by your exam after elementary school, your path to go into the good schools or not-as-good schools has been determined (and a good school essentially equals a bright future, though that is not always the case). If you do well in your O level exams, you are admitted into senior high school and not many people are allowed on to high school at all. After high school there are the A (not sure what this stands for) level exams to go on to university. Schooling starts at age 6, just like our education system.

Hwa Chong is different since you are admitted after your first six years of elementary school and stay, so it's like a combined junior and senior high school (and very prestigious!) Courses are taught in the required English and Mandarin Chinese languages, since the institution (founded in 1919) started as a Chinese High School. The Hwa Chong Institution has produced 47 President's Scholars, which is the highest award that can be given to students. And yes, Singapore does have a President, though they also have a Prime Minister and a Parliament! :)

(Our whole group, finally together in one spot for a great picture on the steps of the Hwa Chong Institution! The whole Institution spanned over 70 acres in prime Singapore land, though, with many ministers of Parliament living nearby)

We were allowed to take a tour with a Hwa Chong student and he let us bother him with our tons of questions (our professors have also gotten pretty used to being plagued by our group's constant questions!) Just like in American high schools, there were plenty of groups and clubs and sports to choose from. Some of the interesting clubs/musical groups/sports to me were: Lion Dance Club, Mathematics Appreciation Club, Chinese Orchestra, Bowling, Judo, Tennis (they have tennis here too!), Rugby, Guitar Club, Photographic Society, and more. The list of things for Hwa Chong to boast was impressive, to say the least!

One of the most shocking things to us, however, was the length of the school day. Students technically have class from 8 until 1:30, with each day beginning with the raising of the flag, reciting the national pledge, and singing the national anthem (a tradition they picked up from the US!) However, after they have lunch at 1:30, students are required to stay at school until about 5 or 6 to do extracurriculars and extra things for classes. And after that, they still have homework to do! That was mind boggling :)

It was an eye-opening experience, though it's still clear that many aspects of Singapore are very westernized. Being able to talk to Singaporean students, however, and seeing the Southeastern Asian aspect of things was all very exciting!