Breakdown of Students Taking Third Language Course in Past Five Years

33 Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked the Minister for Education in the past five years (a) what is the total number of students taking a third language course and the breakdown for each year; (b) what is the percentage of students completing the third language courses and taking them in the GCE 'O' level examination; and (c) what is the number of passes for these examinations.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: In the past five years, the total number of students studying a third language has remained stable at approximately 6,000.

Each year, about 30% of Third Language students would complete the course and sit for the GCE O Level examinations. The average pass rate is 96%. The reason given by students for dropping third languages is typically the difficulty of coping with this additional subject when their academic and CCA commitments grow as they progress further in their secondary schools.