新加坡教育分流制度审视:新自由主义下的效率与公平

Examining the Education Streaming System in Singapore:Efficiency and Equity under Neoliberalism

对于新加坡来说,新自由主义不仅是一种经济原则,而且是一种隐藏在其政治体制下与政府所秉持的实用主义相耦合的治理模式。这样的政治经济制度促使新加坡教育追求效率,采用竞争性的教育分流制度。同时,精英主义下的教育分流制度也利用新自由主义治理技术使其被普罗大众所接受、信任和遵循。新自由主义下竞争激烈的教育分流制度是一把双刃剑。一方面,其提高了教育效率、释放了个人的自由与能力,因此被认为能够最大化社会效能;如果形成良性循环,社会将整体受益。但另一方面,如果把所有控制权抛给自由市场,则会导致教育不平等和社会分化。虽然新加坡一贯重视教育所带来的经济效益,强调精英教育的重要性,但是从近年来对分流制度大刀阔斧的改革可以看出,新加坡政府越来越重视分流制度带来的教育公平问题,致力于将追求效率的精英教育与追求公平的包容性教育相结合,促进教育的良性发展。

Neoliberalism in Singapore is both an economic principle and a mode of governance under its political system,which is related to the pragmatism upheld by its government.It is such a system that drives Singapore to pursue efficiency in education and adopt a competitive educational split-flow system in the country.In addition,the education diversion system under elitism also uses neoliberal governance techniques to make it acceptable,trusted and followed by the public.It is like a double-edged sword.On the one hand,it increases the efficiency of education and releases the freedom and ability of individuals,thus optimizing the effectiveness of society as a whole.And if a virtuous circle is formed,society will be beneficial as a whole.On the other hand,if the market holds the whole controlling right,it would undoubtedly lead to educational inequality and social polarization.Although Singapore has always focused on the economic benefits of education brought by education and emphasized the importance of elite education,the radical reform of the streaming system in recent years shows that the government is paying more and more attention to equity in education brought about by its educational split-flow system.Singapore is committed to integrating the elite education in pursuit of efficiency with the equitable education in pursuit of inclusivity,aiming to promote the healthy development of education.