Flexibility for Sec 1 Students:

“strong interest and commitment” to pilot the initiative.
Flexibility for Sec 1 Students:
MOE Spells Out How to Qualify
In response to media queries, an MOE spokesperson said the
criteria have been set to ensure that students will “benefit from
this flexibility, optimise their potential and build on their
confidence”.
The spokesperson added: “Students who do not meet the
criteria at the start of Secondary 1 but show potential at a later
stage will also be allowed to do so on a case-by-case basis. For
example, the schools can consider allowing such students to
take a higher-level subject at the start of Semester 2 or at the
start of the next school year.”
The criteria would be reviewed based on the outcomes
following the pilot phase, added the MOE. Currently, uppersecondary students are allowed to take subjects across streams
if they are assessed to be suitable.
SINGAPORE — With results of the Primary
School Leaving Examination (PSLE) expected next
week, the Education Ministry (MOE) yesterday laid
out the criteria allowing Secondary 1 Normal
(Academic) and Normal (Technical) students posted
to 12 schools next year to take subjects at a more
advanced level if they performed well in them at the
national exam.
By NG JING YNG -
School principals and teachers interviewed yesterday
welcomed the move to stretch students’ potential according to
their abilities. It also serves as a signal that the PSLE exam
should not be used as the final determinant of a student’s
potential at the secondary school level, they added.
Challenges over teachers’ workload and logistical
arrangements were flagged. There were also concerns that
students might neglect their Normal stream subjects as time
and attention are devoted to the Express-level subject.
15 November 2013
SINGAPORE — With results of the Primary School Leaving
Examination (PSLE) expected next week, the Education
Ministry (MOE) yesterday laid out the criteria allowing
Secondary 1 Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical)
students posted to 12 schools next year to take subjects at a
more advanced level if they performed well in them at the
national exam.
Students will be able to study English, Mathematics, Science
and Mother Tongue at the Express Level as long as they score
at least an A in their PSLE, regardless of whether they are in
the Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) course.
Students in the Normal (Technical) course who scored B, C or
1 in a Foundation subject could take the subject one level
higher, at the Normal (Academic) level.
The move, first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong at the National Day Rally, is aimed at increasing
flexibility within the education system to better cater to the
strengths of students in different subjects. The MOE, which
named the 12 schools to pilot the initiative yesterday, said it
aims to implement this across all secondary schools by 2018.
The MOE said the 12 schools, located across the island, were
chosen for their diverse student profiles, and had expressed
Jurong Secondary Principal Tham Kine Thong said “a
possible challenge” will be in terms of timetabling and the
need for extra teachers. “For example, we may have to band
some classes to allow students (taking) the subject at (a)
higher level to come together and form a new teaching group,”
he said.
Ang Mo Kio Secondary Principal Abdul Mannan said the
school can address these logistics-related challenges by readjusting the school programme, but teachers may need time
to adapt, as they engage the diverse group of students and
learn to vary their teaching methods to suit students’ learning
styles.
The MOE spokesperson told TODAY that the Academy of
Singapore Teachers will organise courses and professional
learning circles to support teachers. The ministry will also
work closely with the 12 schools to manage their more
complex timetabling needs, including manpower deployment
and resource requirements.
Notwithstanding the challenges, Mr Abdul felt students would
benefit from the move. “These students will be highly
motivated and engaged as they are given access to subjects
they really enjoy at a higher level. I also see this greater
flexibility in subject offering a source of motivation for other
students to work diligently,” he said.