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New Zealand education technology firm Writer's Toolbox has won a series of tenders to supply Singapore schools with its Accelerated Writing and Thinking Programme-an online system that uses artificial intelligence to support English writing instruction.
The move comes as Singapore increases investment in AI research and development. Minister for Digital Development and Innovation Josephine Teo has announced SGD$1 billion in funding to strengthen the country's position as an AI research hub.
Singapore schools have been seeking an AI-driven platform that builds critical thinking through English writing and works across different ability levels. Tender specifications also called for tracking and teaching tools, as well as features linked to self-directed learning and metacognitive awareness.
Founder Dr Ian Hunter described the Singapore adoption as part of a broader shift in how technology is used in education.
"We feel privileged to be part of Singapore's ongoing story in educational excellence and cutting-edge adoption of technology. Toolbox has proven its impact; it is exciting Singapore will now be part of this journey," said Dr Ian Hunter, founder of Writer's Toolbox.
Skills focus
Singapore's education system has consistently ranked among the world's strongest in international comparisons, including the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment, where it has held top positions in mathematics, science and reading. Policymakers in Singapore and elsewhere have also placed greater emphasis on skills that sit outside traditional exam measures, particularly as workplaces absorb new technology and automation.
Singapore's 21st Century Competencies framework includes communication, critical thinking, adaptive thinking, inventive thinking and creativity. Education leaders have framed the effort as a long-term approach to human capital, with success measured over years rather than immediate test results.
Former Education Minister Chan Chun Sing described education as a long-cycle endeavour in comments cited in the announcement.
"Education is a long cycle business. Don't judge outcomes on the here and now... It is not just the scores the students get... It is what they do in the next 50 years. Do they continue to learn? Do they have the joy of learning? Do they want to keep discovering new things, making new connections? That is our real success," said Chan.
Similar policy debates have played out in Europe. The European Union launched the European Skills Agenda in 2020 as a five-year plan linked to competitiveness and resilience. It set out priorities around workforce skills and digital transformation, with an emphasis on preparing for economic disruption.
Local testing
Writer's Toolbox has already worked with Singapore schools through an education partnership programme run via the Ministry of Education's Partnerships Engagement Office. The two-year programme examined how AI tools could be used in classrooms alongside the 21st Century Competencies agenda.
Hunter said the company saw progress during that period and described strong engagement from educators.
"We were encouraged by the results. Teachers and schools were enormously supportive and committed to the project for the benefit of their students. Using the Writer's Toolbox patented AI-driven programme, we saw students advance several curriculum levels in adaptive reasoning, critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. This sort of acceleration was affirming and certainly in line with what we have witnessed in the other curriculum systems in which we've been working the past 10 years," said Hunter.
He also described the pilot as a learning process as the company adapted its product to a specific national context.
"You can't go into a country thinking you have all the solutions. Everyone's context is unique; their needs are different. You have to be open; you have to listen," said Hunter. "As a company, we learnt much from the MOE partnership programme and were able to customise our programme to the specific needs and requirements of Singapore schools and teachers. We all benefitted."
Expansion plans
The Singapore contracts sit alongside a broader international push for the Auckland-founded company. Writer's Toolbox says the programme is backed by more than a decade of research evidence and the company is pursuing growth across multiple regions.
At London's BETT education exhibition, the company reported a full-room presentation and interest from schools in Britain, Europe and the Middle East. It has 70 staff across offices in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and London.
The Singapore rollout will introduce the AI-driven platform in schools, with tools for writing development, learner tracking and teacher oversight, alongside features designed to support independent learning behaviours.