Primary, secondary school admission processes to be tweaked: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — Changes will be made to the primary and secondary school admission processes, so that top schools in Singapore do not become “closed circles”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (Aug 18).

From next year, every primary school will reserve at least 40 places for children with no prior connection to the school.

“We will give every Singaporean child a chance to enter the primary school of his choice,” said Mr Lee, adding that the Government will continue to upgrade the quality of schools.

For secondary schools admission, the Direct School Admissions scheme will be broadened to admit outstanding students with special qualities such as character, resilience, drive and leadership. These students will be actively sought by top secondary schools, or suggested by primary schools.

To assist qualified applicants, the Ministry of Education will also enhance financial assistance and bursary schemes for top secondary schools.

Announcing these at the National Day Rally today (Aug 18), Mr Lee said: “We have an excellent education system but our society is become more stratified, competition is intensifying ... The focus is too much on examination performance, not enough on learning.”

“I think we need to recalibrate to keen our system open, to focus on things that matter more than exam gradesin the long run,” said Mr Lee.