In my last article I introduced the educational system in Singapore. This is a totally academic ability-oriented system where selection and tracking begin at the primary school level. This is probably one of the reasons that Singapore came out first in mathematics and science in the International Comparative Study Educational Achievement. Furthermore, it has none of the serious school violence or bullying that occurs in Japan or in Korea.
Children have a positive and sincere attitude, are well-mannered and devoted to their studies.
Singapore is a young nation. It is a country that became independent in 1965, and rapidly achieved high economic growth. South Korea began its period of economic growth about the same time, but around 1990, some twenty years later, school violence and bullying came to be regarded as problems. In Japan, too, in the late 1970s, some twenty years after high economic growth began, school violence and bullying became frequent. Other problems called attention to students who were being left behind and it was said that students were called lethargic, apathetic, and irresponsible.