MOE, SEAB to stop listing top-scoring students in all national exams

MOE, SEAB to stop listing top-scoring students in all national exams
By Kimberly Spykerman | Posted: 20 November 2012 2000 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) will stop listing the top-scoring students in all national examinations.

The ministry told Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday that it will stop the current practice of listing the top students for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), and the "O" and "N" Level examinations.

MOE began providing a list of top students in 1999 but has never indicated the top scorers for the "A" Level examination.

Ahead of the release of the results of this year's PSLE on Thursday, MOE said the focus will be on the performance of the whole cohort.

This is in line with the importance of recognising the students for their holistic development and all-round excellence.

Amid the current debate on the pressure the PSLE exerts on parents and students, MOE hopes the change will balance the over-emphasis on academic results.

MOE said this does not mean that academic achievement will no longer be celebrated.

Students who have done well academically will still receive recognition for their hard work, such as through the Edusave Awards and scholarships.

At the school level, schools may continue to celebrate their students' achievements to recognise their students' efforts and to use this platform for students to express their appreciation to teachers and parents.

MOE hopes that this change will enable it to foster a better balance in emphasis and help parents and students understand that academic performance is just one aspect of a student's overall development and progress.

MOE stressed that each student deserves to be commended for his or her effort and progress.

- CNA/de

- wong chee tat :)