'For Singaporeans, our education system aims to provide opportunities for all students to go as far as possible, regardless of their family background,' he said in his written response to a question from Nominated MP Siew Khim Hong in Parliament.

'Our financial assistance schemes provide more assistance to lower income households. We have programmes that are specifically targeted at children with very weak literacy and numeracy skills in early primary school, to help them level up with other classmates.'

Mr Siew had asked if there were any gaps in performance between students from different socio-economic status families at PSLE and O-Levels and, if so, whether the gaps had widened the past 10 years.

Replying, Dr Ng said one in five of the top third of PSLE students come from lower third of households by home background, meaning from lower socio-economic groups or whose parents have lower educational qualifications.

For O levels, one in five of the top third of O level students come from such homes.

'These figures have remained stable over the past 10 years. The top 5 per cent of students in the PSLE do not come only from a few schools and from well-off backgrounds,' said Dr Ng.

'In fact, they come from 98 per cent of our primary schools and across all socio-economic groups. One in eight undergraduates in our public Universities come from households who live in one to three-room flats.'

The minister added that schools provide all students with access to enrichment activities, such as art, music and sports programmes, and overseas trips and competitions which enhance their exposure.

Additional funding including that from the Opportunity and Internationalisation Funds are available to help students, especially those from less well-off families.

'MOE is committed to provide ample opportunities to help all our children aspire to their full potential and succeed regardless of their home background,' said Dr Ng.