First batch under new PSLE scoring system does as well as previous cohorts; more also qualify for Express course
SINGAPORE - After nearly 50 years, the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) T-score, or transformed score, came to an end with more pupils making the cut for the Express course under a new scoring system. The class of 2021 also saw 98.4 per cent of pupils doing well enough to progress to secondary school. It matches the figures recorded from 2016, and remains the best performance since the national exam was introduced in 1960. Of the pupils in the inaugural batch, 68.4 per cent qualified for the Express course, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Wednesday (Nov 24). This is slightly higher than the 66.3 per cent who made the grade last year. Another 18.9 per cent of this year's cohort are eligible for the Normal (Academic) level, down from 21.2 per cent last year. And 11.1 per cent are eligible for the Normal (Technical) course, similar to last year's 11 per cent. A total of 39,119 Primary 6 pupils sat the PSLE this year. Mr Wong Siew Hoong, MOE's director-general of education, said: "The outcomes under the Achievement Levels (AL) scoring system have remained very stable. "So we hope that students and parents will feel assured about the PSLE and the new AL scoring system. ...
What parents need to know before in-person classes in primary school start from Oct 11
SINGAPORE - Primary 1 to 6 pupils will resume in-person classes in phases from Monday (Oct 11), while exams for Primary 3 and 4 pupils will be cancelled, said the Ministry of Education (MOE). The Straits Times takes a closer look at what primary school pupils and parents need to know before classes resume. 1. Resumption of face-to-face classes in phases From Monday, Primary 3 to 6 pupils will return to school. The phased return will ensure that safe management measures are implemented effectively as pupils return to school, said MOE. Primary 1 and 2 pupils will continue home-based learning on Monday and Tuesday. They will return for face-to-face lessons only from Wednesday (Oct 13). Those from special education schools will be given more details on the phased resumption. MOE said it had earlier put in place home-based learning from Sept 27 to Oct 8 to reduce any disruption to the cohort taking the PSLE and as an extra precautionary measure. Co-curricular activities and other after-school activities will remain suspended for all levels, including secondary schools, Junior Colleges and Millennia Institute. 2. Mandatory self-testing before return to school Parents of Primary 1 to 5 pu...
All 8 cases from Covid-19 cluster at madrasah in Braddell Road from the same Primary 4 class
SINGAPORE - All eight cases of Covid-19 at the Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah in Braddell Road involved pupils from the same Primary 4 class. The cluster was reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (Sept 7). The first two cases were detected last Friday (Sept 3) and the pupils were last in school on Sept 1. They were well when they attended, said the school in a Facebook statement on Wednesday morning. Teachers and classmates of the affected pupils were placed under a quarantine order by MOH. Since then, another six pupils from the class have tested positive, bringing the cluster to a total of eight. All Primary 4 pupils in the school have been placed on leave of absence. All physical activities in the school have ceased, including supplementary classes for Primary 6 pupils, which are now online. Primary 1 to Primary 5 students will also have home-based learning (HBL) when the new term begins on Sept 13. Primary 6 pupils will be allowed to return to school after the holidays to prepare for their Primary School Leaving Examination. Classrooms will be thoroughly disinfected to facilitate the return of the students. The school has said it is prepared to conduct HBL for ...
140 P6 pupils granted special consideration at PSLE due to Covid-19-related reasons
SINGAPORE - This year’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) saw 140 Primary 6 pupils granted special consideration due to Covid-19-related reasons, with some missing papers because they were on medical leave for an acute respiratory infection. These pupils accounted for 0.4 per cent of the 2020 PSLE cohort. On Wednesday (Nov 25), 39,995 pupils received their results, down from 40,256 pupils last year. To ensure fairness to all in light of the pandemic, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) said on Monday that it took multiple factors into consideration. These included the pupils’ performance in the other papers and their school cohort’s performance for that affected subject in the PSLE and their school-based examinations. The pupils collected their results in their classrooms, instead of the school hall which is the norm, due to the Covid-19 pandemic this year. Doing it that way gave them “the opportunity to be with their classmates and consult their teachers face-to-face on their next steps” when collecting their results, said the Education Ministry. Due to the younger age of PSLE pupils, a parent or guardian was allowed to accompany their child or ward to s...