Evolution in education

Learning to see beyond grades

Primary and secondary school exams will be reduced and report books will no longer show class or position levels. Insight drills down into the shift from an obsession with marks to learning as a lifelong joy.

Questions continue to be asked if changes kicking in by 2021 to the way pupils score at PSLE will be only skin-deep.
Questions continue to be asked if changes kicking in by 2021 to the way pupils score at PSLE will be only skin-deep.ST FILE PHOTO
Above: Tampines Secondary School has attained niche status in creative expression, including performing and visual arts, and there are spaces in the school for students to showcase their skills, including in the canteen.
Tampines Secondary School has attained niche status in creative expression, including performing and visual arts, and there are spaces in the school for students to showcase their skills, including in the canteen.PHOTO: ST FILE
Above: Seng Kang Primary School has performing arts as its niche programme and has a stage in every classroom as a teaching aid. Left: Mr Wong Siew Hoong, director-general of education at the Ministry of Education), says part of its work is finding i
Mr Wong Siew Hoong, director-general of education at the Ministry of Education), says part of its work is finding inspiration from other countries' experiences and learning what not to do.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Above: Seng Kang Primary School has performing arts as its niche programme and has a stage in every classroom as a teaching aid. Left: Mr Wong Siew Hoong, director-general of education at the Ministry of Education), says part of its work is finding i
Seng Kang Primary School has performing arts as its niche programme and has a stage in every classroom as a teaching aid.PHOTO: ST FILE
Education Correspondent
  • Published
    Oct 7, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
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Late next month, a familiar scene will once again play out across Singapore - a mix of anxiety and tears, celebration and relief, in which parents will ask each other: "How did your child do for the Primary School Leaving Examination?"

After the comparison, comes the inevitable recrimination, as some parents ask their 12-year-olds why they could not score as well as their siblings, relatives or classmates.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on October 07, 2018, with the headline 'Learning to see beyond grades'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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