シンガポールの教育改革が小・中学校芸術科音楽に与えた影響 : 1992／1993年改訂版と2002年改訂版のシラバスに着目して

This study examined the influence of educational reforms on music for primary and secondary schools in Singapore. In the late 1990s, the Ministry of Education in Singapore embarked on educational reforms: the aim was to break away from a cramming style of education toward creating a superior educational system with the goal of developing thinking skills. In addition, the ministry undertook such moves as strengthening national education, promoting life-long learning, and shifting the focus in education from quantity to quality. The present study focused on the revised syllabus of 1992-93 and 2002 as many of the educational reforms took place at those times. This study compares the revised syllabi and analyzes them in terms of structure, aims and objectives, learning areas, and learning content and outcomes. The educational reforms were largely reflected in the revised syllabus of 2002. Notably, the direction of music education shifted from the revised syllabus of 1992-93, which emphasized learning about music as an end in itself, to the revised syllabus of 2002, which underscored learning about music as a means to some other goal. With the revised syllabus of 2002, the aim was on developing an understanding of and an open attitude toward local and global cultures, creativity and critical thinking skills, and social skills through learning about music. There were no clear differences with respect to learning content and outcomes between the two syllabi: there are basic and minimum knowledge and skills for music making and the aim with both was that students would expand upon those skills and that knowledge. However, in keeping with the times or social changes, notably with regard to globalization and developments in information technology, the revised syllabus of 2002 incorporated such elements as computer music, electronic instruments, and world music.