Number of Schools with Staggered or Later Start Times

50 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the number and percentage of schools that have adopted (i) staggered start times or (ii) start times later than 7.30am for at least one day a week, broken down by primary schools and secondary schools; and (b) what are the key reasons and factors that have allowed such schools to adopt later start times.

Mr Desmond Lee: Approximately 70% of secondary schools and 10% of primary schools start later than 7.30 am on at least one day per week.

The Ministry of Education gives our schools the autonomy to decide on their start time, no earlier than 7.30 am. Schools consider various factors when determining their start times. These include student profiles, after-school and inter-school programmes, transport provisions and local transport situations. Where feasible in a school's context, the school may adopt a later start time.

The Member may wish to also refer to past replies to Parliamentary Questions related to school start time.