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Mathematics Instruction in The Selected Countries in Asia

This study analyzes mathematics instruction in five Asian countries: Singapore, Shanghai-China, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines, focusing on policies, curriculum, teacher training, qualifications, and innovations. Findings indicate that while there are notable similarities and differences in instructional approaches, Singapore stands out for its excellence in all evaluated areas. The research suggests that adopting effective policies and practices from these countries could enhance mathematics education globally.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
48 views9 pages

Mathematics Instruction in The Selected Countries in Asia

This study analyzes mathematics instruction in five Asian countries: Singapore, Shanghai-China, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines, focusing on policies, curriculum, teacher training, qualifications, and innovations. Findings indicate that while there are notable similarities and differences in instructional approaches, Singapore stands out for its excellence in all evaluated areas. The research suggests that adopting effective policies and practices from these countries could enhance mathematics education globally.

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Mathematics instruction in the selected countries in Asia

Article in International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation · October 2023
DOI: 10.54660/.IJMRGE.2023.4.5.845-852

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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation www.allmultidisciplinaryjournal.com

Mathematics instruction in the selected countries in Asia


Mary Grace C Cabibil 1*, Angelito Cabanilla Jr 2, Alexandra Acosta 3, Martin Bulay-og Jr 4
1-4
Cebu Normal University, Philippines

* Corresponding Author: Mary Grace C Cabibil

Article Info Abstract


This study examined the mathematics instructions in the five selected countries in
Asia, namely Singapore, Shanghai-China, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines. A
ISSN (online): 2582-7138 comparative analysis compared mathematics instructions regarding policy,
Impact Factor: 5.307 (SJIF) curriculum, teacher training, teacher qualification, and innovations. The data used
Volume: 04 were based on policies on mathematics instruction and national reports, which relevant
Issue: 05 professional experts of the selected countries verified. Results showed significant
September-October 2023 similarities and differences in the mathematics instructions selected in Asia. However,
among the five selected countries, Singapore had shown excellence in policy,
Received: 02-09-2023; curriculum, teacher training, teacher qualification, and innovations in achieving
Accepted: 03-10-2023 quality math education. Hence, adapting relevant policies and practices may improve
Page No: 845-852 mathematics instruction across countries.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/.IJMRGE.2023.4.5.845-852

Keywords: Mathematics Instructions, Policy, Curriculum, Teacher’s training, Teacher qualification, and Innovations

Introduction
A solid math education is not only a success indicator. However, it is crucial for a nation's future and competitiveness in the
global information era (Abrahamson, 2007). Mathematics training helps improve the environment and manipulate change, as
well as student math performance (Alan et al., 1993). Math helps a nation be globally competitive and advance its economy;
hence, it must be learned. According to ACME (2011), 'mathematics is vital for economic growth and technological progress,'
and the nation aspires to compete globally.
The "Programme for International Student Assessment" (PISA) and "Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
(TIMSS)" are international assessments of students' math knowledge that determine which countries are suitable for study. PISA
and TIMSS found that several Asian nations excel in math literacy and performance. Shanghai-China has the highest mean math
score (613), followed by Singapore (573). Malaysia averages 421 points. Japan placed 7th out of 65 nations with a mean score
of 536. The Philippines skipped the survey (PISA, 2012). East Asian students outperform their classmates abroad, and the gap
is rising.
The Philippines placed third and fourth to last in the TIMSS survey. After that, the nation avoided TIMSS in 2007 and 2011 and
PISA in 2012. The research found that high school mathematics performance on the National Achievement Test (NAT) has
declined recently. Singapore scores highest, with a mean of 605. Japan ranks 5th with 570 mean points, while Malaysia ranks
10th with 508. Shanghai-China declined the survey (TIMSS, 2003). In Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, and other SEA countries,
students' low performance is reflected in the previous several PISA scores and the quadrennial TIMSS, which reveals a decade-
long decline in math and scientific achievement (Johari, 2014).
Teachers must use instructional design to improve math success (Rasmussen & Marrongelle, 2006). Certain elements impact a
country's education system; thus, they must be carefully considered. Policy, curriculum, teacher certification, training, and
innovations impact a country's education system. Specific and substantial variances in the characteristics might assist or hurt a
nation. Economic development and prosperity depend on a well-planned education system. Mathematics is essential to our
culture and civilization and adds to a well-rounded education. ACME, 2011a; Vorderman et al., 2011

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Governments and educators should reform schools and curricula to teach pupils problem-solving abilities, which are essential
in today's economy (Andreas Schleicher, 2012).
All cultures' economic, social, and cultural progress depends selecting five countries in Asia to be subjects of the study.
on education (humanium.org). R.A. No. 10533 mandates 13 Countries were selected through the data from the results of
years of elementary education in the Philippines and protects PISA 2012 mathematics literacy and TIMSS 2003
and promotes the rights of all people to excellent education mathematics achievement: three top-performing countries
at all levels. The Compulsion Education Act requires all were selected, namely, China, Singapore, and Japan; and two
Singaporean children to attend Primary School. The People's countries that have had alarming performance over the years
Republic of China's Compulsory Education Law requires were also selected, namely, Malaysia and Philippines.
nine school years. The schooling Amendment 2002 in
Malaysia mandates six years of compulsory schooling, but Results and Discussion
Article 5 of Chapter 2 in the Fundamental Law of Education A. Status of Mathematics Instruction in Selected
in Japan demands up to nine years. Countries
According to unesco.org, the curriculum is a structured 1. Singapore
collection of values-based information, skills, and attitudes Singapore introduced compulsory education in 2003.
that students should study in formal and non-formal contexts. Primary 6 is the minimal schooling requirement for
It helps pupils achieve learning goals. The education system Singaporean youngsters. Special needs children will be
of a nation may determine whether the curriculum is excused from compulsory schooling (moe.gov.sg). The
successful. Without qualified instructors, education for administration said all youngsters should learn how to
everyone is impossible (campaignforeducation.org). Students succeed in a knowledge-based economy. As of January 2015,
learn new things from trained instructors. They can adapt to 366 Singaporean schools are modernized. Its schools are
school trends, especially math instruction. According to among the world’s top. Teachers from across the globe visit
research, advanced degree instructors in math and science Singapore to learn how it excels in math, science, and
improve high school math and science success. Empirical reading. Singapore educators say an explicit curriculum
research reveals that teacher qualification affects efficacy offered by high-quality instructors in every school is the
(Quinco et al., 2022) [37]. All students in the chosen Asian solution (Vivien Stewart, 2015). Any school can provide
nations perform differently in arithmetic teaching, notably in Singapore-quality education with a regular curriculum and
Shanghai-China, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and the skilled instructors.
Philippines. Every country's legislation, curriculum, English, Mother Tongue, and Mathematics are the main goals
innovations, teacher qualification, and teacher training of elementary education (moe.gov.sg). Primary education in
impact math teaching and performance. Singapore emphasizes English and math. Singapore Math
For their potential to address social and economic issues, employs Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract. The lessons are simple
innovations must be adequately understood. Innovation skills and easy to understand, one concept at a time, and start with
need an innovation-friendly atmosphere and modification of the concrete and pictorial stages, then the abstract stage, to
many current innovation methods (Hobcraft, 2012). Being help students learn mathematics meaningfully
adaptable to innovations may lead to discovering new (homeschoolmath.net). All teachers receive Singapore
national treasures. This research seeks to identify key facts curriculum training at the National Institute of Education at
and tactics top nations utilize to adjust policies and practices Nanyang Technological University, either in a diploma or
to enhance mathematics education worldwide. degree course, depending on their level of education at entry
(asiasociety.org). The Ministry of Education carefully selects
Research Methodology prospective teachers from the top one-third of secondary
This study makes use of documentary analysis in reviewing school graduates.
and investigating the factual data from the policies on Singapore selects teachers from the top third of high school
mathematics instruction from the Ministry of Education and graduates (ncee.org). Singaporean government elementary
national reports that are relevant and useful for this study in and secondary school teachers (including Junior Colleges)
terms of the following factors, namely, policy, curriculum, must have a Dip. Ed or PGDE. Only Nanyang Technological
teacher’s Training, teacher qualification, and innovation that University’s National Institute of Education (NIE) offers both
will determine the mathematics instruction in the selected degrees. Singaporean teachers must have a degree (Dip. Ed
countries in Asia. or PGDE), a Polytechnic Diploma, an ‘A’ level/IP/IB, and an
Policy is the term used for the program of actions, the rules ‘O’ level. Other competent instructors include mid-career
and regulations adopted by each country in national and professionals, relief teachers, and adjunct teachers
international matters, expressly their educational system, (moe.gov.sg).
educational structure, and set compulsory education. Singapore, a nation without natural resources but with one of
Curriculum is a term applied universally for the standardized the best standards of life, was transformed from a struggling
type of educational system. It refers to the course offerings, port in the Straits of Malacca by the ruling government's
mathematics curriculum, and instruction and how it is pragmatic social and economic policies. As Singapore enters
delivered. Teacher’s Training is the term used for the the 21st century, youth must be ready for tomorrow’s
Training the teachers undergo, such as induction and in- problems. The official strategy is ‘Thinking Schools,
service Training (Cadosales et al., 2020) [5]. A teaching Learning Nation.’ The 7th International Conference on
qualification is a term that is one of several academic and Thinking opened with this national policy from then-Prime
professional degrees that enable a person to become a Minister Goh Chok Tong. Singapore has used TSLN since
registered teacher. Innovation is the term for new ideas, 1997 to be competitive in the global economy for the future
improvements, and educational reforms. generation. In 2003, the MOE launched the Teacher Work
The study utilizes the purposive sampling technique in Attachment Programme to motivate and expose teachers to

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outside experiences. The attachment exposes participants to universities, public to private, and academic to vocational
different commercial work contexts, forcing them out of their education, the rules encompass practically every area of
“comfort zones” (thinkingschoolsinternational.com). The education (kpmg.de).
2006 “Teach Less, Learn More” (TLLM) movement helps
teachers and schools concentrate on effective teaching so kids 3. Malaysia
are engaged, learn with comprehension, and are developed Malaysian formal schooling is 6-3-2-2. Children enter
holistically beyond test and exam preparation. primary school at six and complete six grades. Grades 7-13
are divided into three years of lower secondary, two years of
2. Shanghai-China upper secondary, and two years of higher secondary
The Chinese education system includes six years of (epdc.org). The school curriculum promotes mental,
elementary, three of lower secondary, and three of higher emotional, physical, and spiritual growth by teaching broad
secondary. Children must attend nine years of elementary and information, skills, healthy attitudes, and moral values. We
lower secondary education before quitting or joining an upper want balanced, trained, skilled Malaysians who value
secondary program at 15 (ncee.org). China has 12 years of national unity (ibe.unesco.org). Continuous curriculum
basic education, six primaries and six secondary. Parents reform strives to increase education quality to realize the
must enroll their children for up to 9 years of school. All National Education Philosophy. NEP aims to achieve the
Chinese students must study a baseline Math, Chinese, nation's objective of preparing children to be informed,
English, Science, and Humanities curriculum. Math is prepared, and skillful for the millennium's demands. The
required till 18 (et-foundation.co.uk). Even at the secondary national curriculum fosters unity by using a single language
level, Chinese students are well-trained in arithmetic (the national language) and providing the same fundamental
problem-solving. The English curriculum is comparable but topics to all students in the National Education System.
more challenging and complicated (et-foundation.co.uk). National Type Schools, which may teach in other main ethnic
Chinese teacher education includes pre-service and in-service languages, preserve Malaysia's ethnic variety
training. Shanghai has four-year teacher training, and (ibe.unesco.org).
secondary teacher training institutes predominantly educate The government prioritized the Multimedia Super Corridor
pre-service teachers, including math instructors technological infrastructure initiative. There were 32 MSC-
(chineseembassy.org). Primary school teachers in Shanghai approved enterprises in 1999, 33% of which were software
have somewhat adjusted training. Postsecondary sub-degree and 29% multimedia. For years, MSC firms increased
degrees are required for elementary school instructors. The manufacturing production by 20%. MSC was criticized for
three- to four-year programs provide a high school diploma helping high-class manufacturers and businesses while
and a certificate. Practical training is required for teachers excluding middle, lower, and rural masses from prosperity.
(ncee.org). New policies would fix the issue. Computers in all
The Chinese Ministry of Education began to approve using classrooms, 167 schools and four new universities, and $316
multiple texts and resources (ncee.org). Schools can use million for training institutes were part of the 2001 budget to
ministry-provided materials or identify other teaching promote computer literacy. Malaysia may follow Singapore
materials they want to use, but these still need ministry in reducing the digital divide if the trend continues.
approvals before classroom implementation. Primary school Malaysia is implementing pre-service and induction training
teachers must have postsecondary, sub-degree credentials. for teachers, including short-term courses, seminars, and
However, they may enroll in a teacher education institution conferences to improve teaching skills and personal and
after junior secondary. Secondary school teachers need a professional growth. Lower and upper-secondary teachers in
bachelor’s degree and a professional certificate, and many Malaysia have the exact academic requirements. All
have master’s degrees. Secondary school teachers must secondary teachers need a bachelor's degree or post-graduate
complete upper secondary school before entering teacher certificate in education/teaching (unesco.org). In March
education programs. They take identical curricula and get 2014, students, instructors, and administrators used virtual
practical training like elementary school instructors. Lower desktop infrastructure to access computers, programs, and
secondary school candidates may complete the curriculum in data. Even in rural and inland locations with low connection
two to three years, whereas upper secondary school and energy, students and instructors get high-performance
candidates need four years (ncee.org). computing and instructional materials across devices with no
Shanghai-China reform has two phases and aims to replace IT setup or classroom modifications (teradici.com).
exam-focused schooling with quality education (Ding, 2010).
The first wave (1988–1998) established a three-block 4. Japan
curriculum: obligatory, optional, and extracurricular topics to Citizens receive education according to their talents and
improve student quality by combining social demands, capabilities without discrimination based on race, creed, sex,
student growth, and a school’s disciplinary system. The social class, economic condition, or familial origin
second wave suggests a fundamental, enriched, and inquiry- (mext.go.jp). All Japanese have the right to education without
based curriculum to replace the problematic, obscure, and restrictions. The local government provides financial aid to
less creative conventional curriculum (Wen, 2007). Schools economically disadvantaged students (Elivera et al., 2022;
should adjust the government’s curricular framework to Payusan et al., 2022). Citizens must provide their children
accommodate students’ requirements. However, instructors with a general education, and local government schools must
should remember to “return class time to students” and that not charge tuition (mext.go.jp). Japan has a 6-year primary
“to every question, there should be more than a single education, 3-year junior secondary education, and 3-year
answer” (ries.revues.org). China’s ministry of Education senior secondary education, with more math courses than
announced 10-year education reform and development minor topics (Pogoy & Hortado, 2014). Japan requires
guidelines on July 29, 2010. From kindergarten to supervised fieldwork and a 4- to 8-week practicum following

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teaching certification (Pogoy et al., 2014). In-service training numbers, basic operations, fractions, decimals, money,
includes initial teacher induction (Pogoy, 2014). angles, plane figures, measurement, and graphing. However,
Japanese math professors provided homework three to five the K-12 Curriculum requires more advanced learning
times a week: 21%; German, 75%; US, 86% beyond Grade 3 than the BEC Curriculum. Using appropriate
(factsanddetails.com). Japanese teachers reduce student technology, the learner applies numbers, number sense,
tasks. Learning resources use lovely female figures in short measurement, geometry, patterns, algebra, statistics, and
skirts and French maid attire to encourage arithmetic probability to critical thinking, problem-solving, reasoning,
(factsanddetails.com). Under the new curriculum, math hours communicating, making connections, representations, and
rose from 315 to 385. Since 2002, all students, even high real-life decisions. The higher levels' learning experiences
performers and “slow learners,” receive the same curriculum and desired learning objectives are improving from the
in the same classes (factsanddetails.com). Associate degrees previous curriculum (deped.gov.ph; Cabanilla & Pogoy,
are valid for three years in the granting prefecture and may 2023).
be renewed like regular certificates. Bachelor’s degrees are Learning materials and resources must be adequate and
valid for ten years in the issuing prefecture and may be accessible to achieve this goal (Cabanilla, 2023). Every
renewed by continuing university courses. All prefectures public school in the Philippines uses
allow master’s degree renewal by renewing a university blackboards/whiteboards and chalk/markers. Some schools
course within ten years. A bachelor’s degree in mathematics feature overhead projectors for professors and students. Some
is required to teach secondary math. Japan prioritizes schools have computer labs. Not all schools in the nation have
mathematics teacher education innovations less. Saturday suitable technology for teaching and learning. This research
practical math exercises are a Japanese education innovation. should focus on Philippine teacher training and
Mathematics teaching hours have grown since 2002. qualifications. Kindergarteners may enroll in Elementary
without attending Kindergarten. Kindergarten used to have
5. Philippines LGU-funded volunteer instructors. Under the K-12 Program,
The Philippines is the only Asian nation and one of three in Kindergarten is required and accessible in all public schools
the world (with Angola and Djibouti) with a 10-year pre- countrywide, according to Education Secretary Armin
university cycle (deped.gov). Though other Asian nations Luistro (philstar.com). The Department of Education
altered schooling, the Philippines stayed the same. This kept (DepEd) has also issued a new memorandum on kindergarten
the Philippines crawling while other nations advanced. The teacher qualifications, known as Memorandum No. 80 series
Philippines did not participate in the next PISA Mathematics of 2014, which states that KTVs must be qualified to prepare
Literacy until 2003 since it placed lowest in Asia. The Senate for the K-12 Program. Elementary requirements remain
of the Philippines passed Senate Bill 3286, the Enhanced unchanged. Junior and Senior High Schools exist. Junior
Basic Education Act, on September 24, 2012. The Philippine High School requirements remain unchanged. The
House of Representatives adopted House Bill No. 6643 on Department of Education (DepEd) invites interested teachers,
November 19, 2012. On May 15, 2013, Philippine President professionals, practitioners, and experts to apply for full-time
Benigno Aquino III signed the Republic Act of the and part-time teaching posts for Grades 11 and 12 for the
Philippines 10533, which enhances the Philippine Basic 2016-2017 school year. The four Senior High School (SHS)
Education System by strengthening its curriculum and courses need applicants who want to teach core curriculum
increasing the years for Basic Education, appropriating funds, and applied and specialized topics. Applicants must be
and other purposes. The Enhanced Education Program (K- Filipino citizens and competent teachers in the academic,
12) was created under this statute. This curriculum includes technical-vocational-livelihood, arts and designs, and sports
at least one year of Kindergarten, six years of elementary, and tracks (deped.gov.ph).
six years of secondary school. Four years of junior high and The Ateneo system (Manila, Davao, Zamboanga, Xavier
two years of senior high school comprise secondary University of Cagayan de Oro City), De la Salle University
education (gov. ph). (DLSU), Centro Escolar University (CEU), Silliman
For the K-12 Program to be successful, preparations began in University (SU) of Dumaguete City, St. Paul University, and
2011 with Universal Kindergarten implementation, followed University of San Carlos (USC) of Cebu City offer pre-
by Enhanced Curriculum for Grades 1-7, K-12 enactment, service and in-service teacher training. These commercial
Curriculum for Grades 11-12, and Senior High School (SHS) institutions get government funding from CHED, DECS, and
implementation in SY 2016-2017. By 2016, the Enhanced DOST for teacher in-service training (unpan1.un.org). A
Education Program would be fully implemented. The teacher's professional license requires a bachelor's degree in
Content Standards, Performance Standards, and Learning mathematics education or a related primary and professional
Competency of all disciplines from the BEC Curriculum to education certificate. It is valid until retirement and must be
this K-12 Curriculum, notably math, were changed. After renewed every three years (Pogoy et al., 2014).
Grade 3, BEC Curriculum students can handle whole

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Table 1: Mathematics Instruction in terms of Policy, Curriculum, Teachers’ Training, Teacher’s Qualifications, and Innovation in Selected
Countries in Asia.
Teacher
Country Policy Curriculum Teacher's Training Innovations
Qualifications
Educational Pre-service Training: Bachelor's Degree: Thinking Schools, Learning
Singapore Kungfu Mathematics
Structure: 6-5 22 weeks BSc(Ed) Mathematics Nation' (TSLN)
Compulsory Mid-career
Education: 6 years Concrete-Pictorial- Induction Training: professionals, Relief Teacher Work Attachment
(Primary Abstract Approach REQUIRED teachers and Adjunct Programme
Education) -CE teachers also qualified
Act (Cap 51) of A' level/IP/IB holders Teach Less, Learn More'
One concept at a time
2003 and 'O' level holders (TLLM)
Primary school
Educational Shanghai Mastery Pre-service Training: teachers: post- Shanghai-China
Shanghai-China
Structure: 6-3-3 Approach 12 weeks secondary, sub-degree Educational Reform
holder
Compulsory Secondary school
Education: 9 years teachers: Bachelor's
Induction Training:
- PRC Presidential Degree holder or
VOLUNTARY
Order No. 52 of (mostly) Master's
2006 Degree holder
Educational Pre-service Training: Advanced Level: Saturday practical Math
Japan Japan Mathematics
Structure: 6-3-3 4-8 weeks Master's Degree activities
Special Level:
Problem Solving Induction Training: Bachelor's Degree Number of teaching hours
Compulsory
Approach REQUIRED (non-education in math increased
Education: 9 years
programs)
- BAE Chapter 2
Higher percent of Temporary Level:
(Act No. 120)
Math subjects than Associate (non-
minor subjects education programs)
Bachelor's Degree in
Education (B. Ed
Educational KBSM Mathematics Pre-service Training: Virtual desktop
Malaysia Mathematics) or a Post-
Structure: 6-3-2-2 Framework 12 weeks infrastructure
graduate diploma in
education/teaching
Compulsory Public School Teachers: Educational resources
Education: 6 Technology Education Induction Training: No licensing system; delivered to schools even in
years- Education (high-tech education) REQUIRED ONLY appointment of areas with limited access to
Act of 2002 permanent teachers connectivity and electricity
Private School
High-performance
Teachers: obtain
computing
teaching license
Bachelor's Degree in
Adapt the new curriculum,
Math Education holder
Educational Pre-service Training: the K-12 Program
Philippines Spiral Curriculum and/or Bachelor's
Structure: 1-6-4-2 18 weeks (Enhanced Education
Degree in Math or
Program)
related major
Compulsory
Education: 13 Induction Training: with Professional
years - R.A. VOLUNTARY Education Certification
10533

B. Discussion on the Selected Variables of Mathematics schools in Japan are free, and the government helps
Instruction financially struggling students. Field study is required from
1. Policy 4-8 years, in-service training for starting teachers is provided,
Education is the finest legacy a nation can leave its and their official education structure is 6-3-3, six years in
inhabitants since it helps society's progress. Hence, educated primary, three years in junior secondary, and three years in
people must hold important positions to benefit society senior secondary. The K-12 program in the Philippines has
(articlesng.com). All chosen Asian nations established been improved by a new law that changes the formal
policies that benefit people and the country. All nations have education structure to 1-6-4-2, one year in kindergarten, six
obligatory education regulations with age and complexity years elementary, six years secondary (4 years junior
constraints. Since 2003, Singapore has had a 6-year minimum secondary and two years senior secondary). Primary
obligatory education, and 366 schools have been modernized. education is mandatory in the Philippines. The expanded
Shanghai-China had a 9-year compulsory education and a 12- education program would cover all primary education by
year primary education. Students may quit or continue school 2016.
after 15. Malaysia has a 6-3-2-2 formal education system: 6
years in primary, three years in lower secondary, two years in 2. Curriculum
upper secondary, and two years in higher secondary. Public The curriculum includes all teacher-led activities (Caswell &

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Campbell, 1935). It is also a master plan for choosing institution. Teachers not only need to excel in their subject
material and structuring learning experiences to change and area, but they also need to learn how to manage difficult
grow learners' behaviors and insights (David et al., 1989). As pupils and sensitive issues. Teachers must be knowledgeable
seen, the Asian nations studied have diverse math curriculum and competent to ensure children are safeguarded, have
delivery techniques. China and Singapore stressed a someone they can trust and interact with, and fulfill their
classroom maths education style among the five nations. The potential. (2015) Jenalyn D. Padre
Shanghai Mastery Approach is used in China. However,
Singapore uses the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract Approach 4. Teacher Qualification
(Visualization et al.) for Kungfu Mathematics Pictorial An excellent teacher is the most significant component in
Understanding. Japan emphasizes Problem Solving, learning, and when they are in the classroom, scores climb,
Structured Problem Solving, and other Solving Approaches. and the beneficial impact may be spectacular, particularly for
However, instructors may use alternative methods to teach poor and minority students (centerforpubliceducation.org). A
arithmetic. Malaysia and the Philippines have math courses, bachelor's degree is required to teach in certain Asian nations.
but teachers decide how to teach. Malaysia uses KBSM math. In Malaysia, publicly qualified teachers are appointed by
However, the Philippines still adopts its Enhanced Basic passing the ESC selection exam and interview without a
Curriculum Program, notably its Mathematics Spiral license. Singapore's Ministry of Education carefully chooses
Curriculum. Asian nations teach math according to their teaching candidates from the top one-third of secondary
respective curriculum. Curricula are integrated to introduce school graduates. All states need licensing and certification
similar themes for a given year level and improve teaching for full teaching positions (centerforpubliceducation.org). As
methods. Math instructors may learn more than just how in Malaysia, several states enable districts to recruit
nations score on the international league table. The content, uncertified teachers in an emergency if they cannot meet
breadth, ideas given, and degree of study youngsters staffing shortages. Some nations, including Shanghai, Japan,
participate in vary greatly (Buchanan, 2011). No matter what and the Philippines, need a teaching credential. Qualification
the national curriculum recommends, the teacher must in Singapore and Malaysia requires specific diplomas.
creatively educate his/her pupils. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has
devised rigorous tests of teachers' knowledge and skills and
3. Teacher’s Training recognized those with high abilities via licensing exams
Student performance is most affected by instructor quality. (centerforpubliceducation.org). Singapore does not need
Good instructors are among the most significant factors in licensing exams for teachers. In Shanghai, China, elementary
student performance (Kane et al., 2007). One needs training and secondary school students get identical curriculum and
to become a great teacher. Teacher training prepares teachers practical instruction for 2-4 years instead of board
for careers (Principal, Teacher's College, 2009). Teacher examinations. You must pass the license test to become a
education prepares students for teaching as a vocation. Bob private school teacher in Malaysia. However, you do not need
Kizlik. Selected nations offer training programs to enhance to take it if you are selected to teach public school. Licenses
math education. All chosen nations define pre-service and to teach in Japan expire after 3–10 years. However, they may
induction training methods. In Singapore, all teachers are be renewed at a university. After graduating and getting a
trained at the National Institute of Education (NIE), which diploma, one must pass the license test for teachers in the
offers initial teacher preparation, graduate and in-service Philippines to teach in public schools. Private schools do not
programs, and courses for serving teachers, department always need board-passing instructors. Since Singapore is the
heads, vice principals, and principals. However, NIE top education performer, passing the licensing test is not
programs focus on pedagogy and connections between enough to become a certified teacher who can improve a
educational subjects rather than advanced academic training country in math or any topic. It indicates that competent
within a specific subject, so one cannot become a teacher in teacher selection is more critical in top-performing nations
Singapore without high-level subject mastery (ncee.org). than passing the license test that other countries need.
Malaysian pre-service and induction training includes short-
term courses, seminars, and conferences for teachers to 5. Innovations
improve their skills and personal growth. Teacher education Most respondents believe education should focus on teaching
pre-service programs in the Philippines, Shanghai, and Japan pupils fundamental arithmetic ideas and processes. All
incorporate mathematics teaching. The MEXT provides students, even those with impairments and at risk of school
central seminars for head teachers and administrators in failure, must learn how to “figure out” their arithmetic
Japan. difficulties at home and in the workplace. Singapore is first
in line with its TLLM strategy, which helps teachers and
Student teachers get pre-service teacher education before schools focus on the fundamentals of effective teaching so
teaching. Pre-service training durations vary per nation students are engaged, learn with understanding, and are
(Cadosales et al., 2021) [4]. Shanghai pre-service training lasts developed holistically beyond test and exam preparation.
12 weeks. Pre-service training spans 22 weeks in Singapore, However, China incorporates social demands, student
4-8 weeks in Japan, 12 weeks in Malaysia, and 18 weeks in growth, and a school's disciplinary system to promote student
the Philippines. New teachers get induction training to quality with a three-block curriculum: obligatory, optional,
prepare for their jobs. Training might be systematic or not. and extracurricular. The second wave suggests a
Voluntary induction training in Shanghai, China. New fundamental, enriched, and inquiry-based curriculum to
Singaporean teachers must undergo induction training. Japan replace the problematic, obscure, and less creative
requires induction training. Teachers in Malaysia must conventional curriculum (Wen, 2007). Malaysian students,
undergo induction training. Philippines induction training is professors, and administrators used virtual desktop
optional. Quality teacher development is significant for an infrastructure to access computers, programs, and data. Even

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