Centralised institutes (Singapore)

Centralised institutes in Singapore are pre-university centres in Singapore what offers three-year pre-university courses under three streams, the traditional Science and Arts streams concurrently offered at junior colleges, as well as the Commerce streams. These three-year university courses leads to the Singapore leads to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examinations, and formerly in complement with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) examinations.[1]

Currently, Millennia Institute is the only centralised institute in Singapore, incorporated in 2004 through the merger of Outrum Institute and Jurong Institute. Other former centralised institutes included Seletar Institute and Townsville Institute.[2]

History

Establishment

The centralised institutes education pathway was first introduced in Singapore in the late 1980s with an education reform involving the pre-university education system. The establishment of centralised institutes as specialised pre-university centres for Commerce pre-university streams was in line with the crease of Commerce and Technical streams at junior colleges. Technical streams are reformed as diplomas in polytechnics.

Establishment of Outram Institute

Outram Institute (Abbreviation: OI; Chinese: 欧南高级中学) was one of 4 original Centralised Institutes (CI) in Singapore, and one of the two CIs to have been merged to establish the nation's current only CI, Millennia Institute. Outram Institute is the first Centralised pre-university Centre in Singapore specializing in commercial studies.[3] Students in Outram Institute take the A Levels in three years, unlike any other Pre-university course students in a Junior College (JC).

In the 1980s, 3-year pre-university courses were conducted in several secondary schools. In 1987 the Ministry of Education set up the first Institute, Outram Institute (OI) to offer 3-year pre-university courses on a centralised basis. Outram Institute prepared students for the GCE `A' Level Examinations. Initially, it concentrated on commerce subjects and had only the Commerce stream. The Arts stream was later being introduced to the school. Outram Institute functions on a full-day basis and teaching modes has included lectures and classroom instruction. Admission to the Institute is based on the aggregate point of First Language and four relevant subjects (L1R4). Mrs Lim Han Soon, Principal of Outram Secondary School, was being appointed as the first principal to head Outram Institute.

The Institute was being temporarily accommodated in premises at Bartley Road which was vacated by Chung Hwa High School when the school moved to new premises in December 1987. The Bartley Road premises was then renovated to provide the necessary facilities and a conducive environment for students.

In 1989, Outrum Institute was the first pre-university centre in Singapore to offer the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) examination, on top of the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examination. The first batch of its students achieved a commendable 80 percent pass rate in the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) examination, as reflected on a local article on 18 October 1989.[1]

Establishment of Jurong Institute

Jurong Institute (JI) (Chinese: 裕廊高级中学) was formed in 1989 as Singapore's third centralised institute. The inaugural campus was located at Jurong West Street 91. On 18 November 1994, Jurong Institute relocated to 2 Toh Tuck Terrace.

Establishment of Seletar Institute

Seletar Institute (SI) (Chinese: 立德高级中学) was established in January 1988 as Singapore's second centralised institute. It began operations with 17 staff and 186 students in January 1989, at the former campus of Upper Thomson Secondary School at 14.5 km off Upper Thomson Road.

In 1990, the campus was expanded, with a new two storey block at the back of the original facility, consisting of 10 classrooms at Level 1 and 2 Lecture Theatres at Level 2. The pioneer batch students (10 classes or what was known as "Civics Tutorial Group") moved to the new block whilst the two junior batches remained at the old block. Its library, third LT and four additional classrooms was built in 1991, its fourth LT, gymnasium, weights room, fitness stations, art studio and students’ locker room in 1992 and its conference room, printing room, counselling room, resource rooms and staff lounges in 1993. Air-conditioners were installed extensively throughout campus. It underwent repainting, renovations and upgrades in 1994, with a new volleyball court and walkway to Block B from the canteen and Internet introduced in 1995. In 1996, a student’s computer corner was created to facilitate students without internet access or computer.

Establishment of Townsville Institute

Townsville Institute (TI) (Chinese: 城景高级中学) was the fourth centralised institute established in Singapore to offer a three-year curriculum leading to the Singapore Cambridge (UCLES) General Certificate of Education Advanced Level examination. The centralised institute was located at Margaret Drive in Queenstown. Currently, the former site of Townsville institute now houses the National Institute of Education (NIE) Townsville campus.

Closure of Townsville and Seletar Institute

With a fall in demand in three-year pre-university courses over two-year junior colleges, Seletar Institute witnessed a rapidly falling enrollment, to as low as 130 students in 1995. In November 1995, The Ministry of Education announced the closure of Seletar Institute and Townsville Institute owing to the rapidly falling enrollment into centralised instiutes, from 3560 students in 1993 to 2328 students in 1995. Both institutes ceased the intake of first-year students in 1996, and ceased operation in 1998 with the graduation of its final batch of students.[4]

Merger and establishment of Millennia Institute

On 26 July 2003, decision was made public by the Ministry of Education on the merger of Outram Institute and Jurong Institute to conglomerate the sparsely organised three-year pre-university institutions into a single entity.[2] This move was to allow consolidation of expertise and teaching resources of the two institutes, and provide students with more customised programmes and facilities, thereby enhancing the delivery of the three-year pre-university education programme. As a result, Millennia Institute was established on 3 January 2004.[5] A new campus was announced on 2 December 2003 to be ready in 2007.[6]

Millennia institute functioned in two campuses of the former Jurong Institute and Outram Institute, before relocating into its permanent campus at 60 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8.[7]

Societal significance

The establishment and changes in the centralised institute scheme is a reflection of demographic changes in the educational needs of Singapore. It is a classic example of rapid changes to the demand and needs of pre-university education through the development of the nation.

References

  1. 1 2 Chua, Chong Jin (1989-10-18). "Outram Institute's extra exams for students pay off". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 18. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  2. 1 2 "About MI". millenniainstitute.moe.edu.sg. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  3. ↑ Law, Bernard (1987-04-14). "Outram needs name with stature". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 18. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  4. ↑ BRAEMA MATHI (1995-11-22). "Falling demand, so 2 Pre-U centres to close in 2 years". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. 25. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  5. ↑ "INDEPENDENT JUNIOR COLLEGES, MERGER OF CENTRALISED INSTITUTES AND ENHANCEMENTS TO EDUSAVE SCHOLARSHIPS FRAMEWORK - MOE Press Releases (26 July 2003)". www.moe.gov.sg. Retrieved 2016-12-25.
  6. ↑ KOH, YVONNE (2003-12-03). "New campus for merging centralised institutes". The Straits Times.
  7. ↑ "2 schools celebrate landmark events". news.asiaone.com. Retrieved 2016-12-25.
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