The education system is designed to bring out the best in each student as education is a vital source to Singapore’s future, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (5 Jan).
Speaking at an Edusave award ceremony in Townsville Primary School in Ang Mo Kio, Mr Lee said education should not be hold over from pursuing due to cost by anyone in Singapore, thus why it has always been kept affordable to all.
Secondary schools are moving away from streaming, which will be replaced by full subject-based banding by 2024. The subject-based banding allows students to take subjects at a higher or lower level based on their strengths. 25 schools will start the banding this year, and by 2024, it is set to apply for all secondary schools.
The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scoring system has been broadened to reflect a pupil’s individual performance regardless of their peers’ performance. Academic results will not be overemphasized and students will be able to develop their interests and strengths regardless of their starting point.
“Education is one of the most important things that Singaporeans have,” said PM Lee, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC. Moves like these reflect how students here are not forced to fit into the same academic mould, he added.
“And it is one of the most important things that the Government pays attention to because we believe that through education, we can help our citizens gain skills, learn knowledge, become productive and useful, become good people, and make a living for themselves.”
Two types of awards were presented by PM Lee to more than 1,100 students in his Teck Ghee ward, in recognition of their efforts in school at the two-day ceremony.
The Teck Ghee Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) Bursary was awarded to 351 students, meanwhile 760 received the Ministry of Education (MOE) Edusave Awards.
PM Lee gave out 351 bursary awards and 241 Edusave awards on Saturday (4 Jan). The remaining awards were given out the next day.
The bursary awards’ money was raised by the grassroots organisations.
Recipients of the Teck Ghee CCC Bursary awards received between S$250 and S$550, depending on the level of study. The awards were based on factors such as recommendations from school principals, household income, academic achievements, and conduct of students.
The MOE Edusave award received by students ranged from S$200 to S$500. These awards were given to students based on their leadership, character, conduct, academic performance, and learning dispositions.
PM Lee noted in his speech that the Government will continue to support the students and ensure the education system here is of high quality and affordable.
Fees in both pre-schools and institutes of higher learning will be lowered this year, according to the announcement made in 2019.