31 May 2016
A study by the National University of Singapore has found that more girls are being admitted to Singapore Junior Colleges (JC) that require higher entry scores.
About 45 percent of students who entered the better JCs in 1971 were girls. This has risen to 65 percent in 2010.
The study aimed to find out if school and neighbourhood characteristics reinforce inequalities in gender and ethnicity. There is evidence that the gender gap in education had narrowed a lot over time.
However, the data also showed that neighbourhood characteristics amplified gender and ethnic disparities. For example, females are more highly represented in elite JCs particularly if those JCs are in wealthier neighbourhoods.
These findings were presented at a global conference hosted by NUS’ Centre for Family and Population Research.