Ministry of Education

The Minister for Education (Mr Desmond Lee): The Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue to enhance our education system so that Singaporeans can flourish at every stage of their lives and reach their fullest potential, regardless of starting point. We will equip and empower Singaporeans to learn for life and thrive in an artificial intelligence (AI)- transformed future.

MOE will partner parents to equip our students with future-ready skills and competencies so that they can thrive in school, work and life.

We have reduced the over-emphasis on academic results by revising the Primary School Leaving Examination scoring system and the junior college admission criteria. We want our students to embrace learning beyond grades and have more time and opportunities to develop 21st Century Competencies and pursue other interests.

We will strengthen support for students’ social-emotional development and well-being, working with parents and stakeholders through Grow Well SG to encourage healthy habits and support mental wellness.

To nurture appreciation and respect, we will ensure schools remain open to students from all backgrounds and create more opportunities for interaction.

MOE will support students of different strengths and interests, helping them develop to their fullest potential, regardless of background or starting point in life. We have implemented Full Subject-Based Banding in secondary schools, which has allowed students to better customise their learning experiences.

We will provide more opportunities to stretch our students at different stages of their education. This includes refreshing our approach to support higher-ability learners with the review of the Gifted Education Programme and enabling more students to pursue Mother Tongue Language at a higher level in secondary school.

We will do more to support children from families with complex needs. Through additional resources in schools and stronger partnerships with the community, we will provide wraparound support for their learning and well-being, through initiatives like ComLink+.

For students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), we have strengthened teacher capacity in both mainstream and Special Education (SPED) schools, and enhanced accessibility, affordability and quality in SPED schools. We will help students with SEN to transition smoothly into employment or community pathways after completing their education. For example, the Institute of Technical Education and SG Enable will work with companies to enhance internship and employment support programmes for students with SEN.

AI will transform our economy and society. MOE will equip learners and educators to thrive in this new future. Students in our schools and Institutes of Higher Learning will learn how to use AI responsibly and acquire the competencies needed for an AI-driven workplace. Guidelines have been put in place to ensure that AI enhances, rather than compromises, learning. We will also equip students with critical skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, so that they can create value beyond AI. Educators will be trained to use AI meaningfully and guide students effectively. SkillsFuture Singapore will also raise AI literacy broadly, so that those already in the workforce can become confident AI users.

MOE will strengthen the quality and industry relevance of training, expand upskilling and re-skilling pathways, and uplift the professional standards of adult educators to support lifelong learning.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of SkillsFuture. To take it further, we need a whole-of-society effort: (a) individuals taking charge of their learning; (b) employers helping workers build industry-relevant skills; and (c) training providers updating curricula and courses to meet industry needs.

A strong education system requires collective effort. We will support our teachers, school administrators and allied educators, to deliver good quality education which brings out the best in our students. Parents are our key partners. We will build on the Guidelines for School-Home Partnerships and the Parenting for Wellness initiative to strengthen how parents and teachers work together to support our children’s mental health and emotional resilience, especially in the digital age.

Together with Singaporeans, MOE will equip every citizen with the knowledge and skills to reach their fullest potential.