By 2016, all primary and secondary schools will have student development teams and year heads to oversee the holistic development of their students. Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Wednesday at his ministry's workplan seminar that the system has been successfully piloted in six schools last year. Eighteen more have formed their teams this year.

Some schools are assigning existing teachers as year heads, who will work with class form teachers to pay closer attention to students' socio-emotional needs, including cultivating values, and providing counselling.

They will also help to coordinate teaching within a particular level. The year heads will report to the school's vice-principal, who will lead the entire team.

Mr Heng said that the quality of school experiences - the time spent with peers and guidance of teachers - was what made school enjoyable for students. Having these teams would "enable our schools to better care for and develop every student under their charge," he added.