SINGAPORE'S POST-1963 BILINGUAL EDUCATION POLICY : A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FRAMEWORK OF LANGUAGE PLANNING

Abstract

This dissertation sets out to show what factors make up the framework for Singapore's language planning. It argues the case for pragmatic considerations when drawing up language policies: language planners must know why they are proposing a particular policy, what problems need to be overcome and what tangible benefits will accrue. Objectives must be attainable, and both governments and education authorities must have the determination and resources to make policies work. In multilingual societies, language policy should not provoke social unrest. This prerequisite is difficult to meet but the general acceptance by Singaporeans of language policy has helped to hold the framework together. Chapter One explains the linguistic profile of Singapore and the importance of leadership in language planning, in this instance, the central role of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Chapter Two looks at the roots of the pragmatism that went into the Goh Report on Singapore's bilingual education policy, the blueprint of the nation's language plan. Chapter Three analyses the circumstances that led to the drawing up of the blueprint and postulates that the catalyst was the problem in the Singapore Armed Forces. A review of the Goh Report highlights the educational wastage the bilingual education policy sets out to arrest and assesses its achievements. A comparison is made with bilingual education policies elsewhere. Chapter Four lists the economic, social/political and educational benefits that have accrued as a result of a better-educated workforce. Chapter Five focuses on the success of the Speak Mandarin Campaign and discusses the consequent fears of minority races. Chapter Six concludes the review by showing how Singapore's pragmatic language planning has served the nation well and suggests how Singapore's experience may be relevant to other societies. It also points to possible topics of research in this area.