Full Subject-Based Banding From 2024
Starting from 2024, complete subject-based banding will be introduced to all 120 Secondary schools across Singapore. Alongside this initiative, additional measures such as mixed form classes, the flexibility for students to choose the difficulty level of their subjects as well as the removal of the Ordinary Level (O levels) for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) in 2027 will be implemented. If you're uncertain about how these new measures align, here's a breakdown of what you should be aware of as a Primary School parent who's child may be taking the PSLE soon.
What is Exactly is Subject-Based Banding?
In 2019, the introduction of subject-based banding was announced, signaling its replacement of the existing Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical) streams in secondary schools from 2024. The Ministry of Education (MOE) revealed the categorization of these different subject levels as G3, G2, and G1, corresponding to today's Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical) standards, where 'G' denotes General. The initiative involved organising students from diverse academic streams into shared form classes. Another significant aspect was granting students the flexibility to undertake subjects at higher or lower difficulty levels based on their strengths. This was done to help students focus and improve on subjects that they were strong in, and build up the fundermentals in the subjects they were poorer in.
Subject-Based Banding In The Context of Primary Schools
In the context of Singapore’s primary schools, students will continue to take four subjects: English Language, Mother Tongue Language, Maths, and Science. Similarly, the Primary 1 to Primary 4 syllabus will also continue to be common to all students. However, the primary 4 level is now an important milestone in their primary school journey as students will be taking different subject combinations at the Foundation or Standard levels in Primary 5 and 6, which will also include the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE). The streaming of the subjects will be based on your child's primary 4 exam results at the end of the year, with a minimum passing mark to take a subject at the Stadnard level,
Primary 4 Examination | Standard Subjects |
Student passes 3 or more subjects in Primary 4 | 4 standard subjects: English Language Mother Tongue Language Mathematics Science |
Student passes 4 subjects and does very well for Mother Tongue Language. | 4 standard subjects: English Language Mother Tongue Language Mathematics Science + Higher Mother Tongue Language |
pass 2 subjects or less | Option of: 4 standard subjects OR 3 standard subjects + 1 foundation subject OR 2 standard subjects + 2 foundation subjects OR 1 standard subject + 3 foundation subjects OR 4 foundation subjects |
How do Foundation-level Chinese differ from the standard level?
Taking subjects at the foundation level is not always a disadvantage for your child. It will help them to build up the fundamentals for the subjects and better prepare them for progression to secondary school. However, there are some content and grading differences when it comes to the PSLE as outlined below:
1. Content Differences Between Standard and Foundation Chinese
Regarding language content, the foundation Chinese program (15% Reading, 55% Oral and 30% Listening) places emphasis on developing listening and speaking skills, whereas the Standard Chinese subject (20% Writing, 45% Comprehension and 25% Oral) focuses more on reading and writing proficiency. For example, the Standard Chinese Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), students are required to compose a 100-word essay in Chinese, among other tasks, whereas the Foundation Chinese subject emphasises oral conversational skillsets instead. This would mean that your child will be able to build up their foundation in Chinese in terms of listening and speaking skillsets, while having the option to transition to a higher posting level in Secondary School should they continue to do well.
2. PSLE AL Score
Taking a Standard subject, the scores are graded AL 1-8 with 1 being best in terms of the PSLE Achievement Level (AL).
On the other hand, a Foundation subject has equivalent scores of AL 6-8 (with 6 as the top score even if you marked 100%) so you would have to accept that the best your child could achieve with a Foundation subject is a score of 6.
Grades For Foundation | Foundation Raw Marks Range | Equivalent Standard AL |
A | 75-100 | 6 |
B | 30-74 | 7 |
C | <30 | 8 |
Secondary 1 Posting Changes You Should Know – Posting Groups
Commencing with the Secondary 1 intake of 2024, students will now be allocated to secondary schools based on three posting groups (G3, G2, G1), aligned with the current score ranges for the Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical) streams. From 2027 onwards, irrespective of one's initial posting group, will undertake a unified Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination. This certificate will replace the existing O-Level and N-Level certificates, which students currently take at the conclusion of their four or five years in secondary school.
Based on one’s PSLE AL score, students will be allocated to 3 different posting groups, with G1 being the best, and G3 being more Foundational. Students falling within the score range of 4 to 20 points will be categorized into posting group 3, while those scoring between 23 and 24 points will be placed in posting group 2, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE). For students scoring 26 to 30 points, with an Achievement Level of 7 in both English and mathematics, they will be assigned to posting group 1. Those achieving 21 or 22 points will be included in an option band, allowing them to apply as either posting group 2 or 3 students. Students scoring 25 points will have the choice to apply under either posting group 1 or 2, as outlined by the Education Ministry.
Source: MOE
How Does the New Posting Groups Affect Post- Secondary School Pathways?
With the above changes, post-secondary admissions criteria can now accommodate a broader range of learners, offering increased subject combinations at different levels. According to the Ministry of Education. In terms of Junior College (JC) admission, the criteria remain unchanged (with 6 G3 subjects) to ensure students possess a strong academic foundation for the A-Level curriculum.
In the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP), starting from the Academic Year 2024, eligibility will be expanded, allowing a wider group of students to benefit from a practice-based preparatory pathway. Changes include relaxing the grade requirement in English Language, Mathematics, and Best 3 subjects from G2 Grade 3 to Grade 4. From the Academic Year 2026, PFP admissions will follow a cluster-based approach, and from the Academic Year 2028, students taking G3 subjects can access PFP by mapping their G3 grade to the G2 equivalent.
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is transitioning Nitec courses to a three-year structure leading directly to a Higher Nitec certification. Starting from the Academic Year 2028, direct entry into Year 2 for all Higher Nitec courses will have admission requirements set at G2, allowing students with a combination of G3 and G2 subjects to apply, provided their ELMAB3 aggregate score is 19 points or less. Further details on changes to ITE Year 1 admission criteria are pending.
With these recent changes, your child's education pathway has now expanded to be more flexible, with the chance to "Laterally Transfer" between different subject levels based on their ability to cope and well-being. For more information on our LingoAce Chinese programmes and the latest promotions, contact us for a free trial class now! We offer a variety of programs and services to help students of all levels to improve their Chinese language skills.
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