Abstract
Lifelong learning in Singapore offers opportunities to realise a person’s full potential while at the same time it functions as a strategic driver for achieving competitive advantage. The chapter reviews the notions on the bifurcation of lifelong learning and lifelong education and in the process we will consider fundamental issues that impact lifelong learning, in particular how globalising policy ideas have been developed and localised in the Singapore context. It will highlight the case of Singapore’s national ‘SkillsFuture’ initiative that is currently evolving, and how government policy and practice has shifted from a strong human capital definition of lifelong learning to a broader view that appears to support individual personal growth across the lifespan and the continuing education of an increasingly diverse population.
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I wish to thank the editors for their helpful comments and suggestions. The views and opinions expressed are of the author’s own and do not represent the National Community Leadership Institute.
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Kumar, P. (2018). Singapore: Trends and Directions in Lifelong Learning. In: Milana, M., Webb, S., Holford, J., Waller, R., Jarvis, P. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook on Adult and Lifelong Education and Learning. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55783-4_31
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55783-4_31
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