Offering Computing in Secondary Schools and Providing Institutional Support and Dedicated Curriculum and Pedagogical Resources
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether Computing can be offered as a core subject across secondary levels, student participation rates, and institutional curriculum support, raised by Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat. Minister Desmond Lee responded that foundational digital, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking skills are integrated into existing curricula like mathematics and programmes such as "Code for Fun". He stated that MOE has no plans to introduce Computing as a standalone subject before upper secondary, though it will be offered as a G1, G2, and G3 elective from the 2026 Secondary 3 cohort. Currently, about 13% of the Secondary 3 cohort across over 110 schools offer Computing, including students from over 40 schools taught at four centres. Additionally, dedicated institutional support is provided via MOE Computing curriculum officers, a senior specialist, and Senior and Lead Teachers.
Transcript
34 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Education (a) whether Computing can be offered as a core subject in secondary schools; (b) how many secondary schools teach Computing in-house and how many via the centre-based programme; (c) what proportion of the cohort takes Computing; (d) whether Computing can be given its own Curriculum Planning and Development Division post and Master Teacher portfolio; and (e) whether Computing will become a subject before upper secondary.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education (MOE) recognises the importance of developing digital and artificial intelligence (AI) literacies in students. Our approach is to equip all students with foundational digital and AI literacy through existing subjects and programmes, such as "Code for Fun", while providing opportunities for interested students to study Computing in greater depth.
At the lower secondary level, our students pick up computational thinking skills through the learning of mathematics. International benchmarking studies have found our students to be strong in computational thinking.
From the 2026 Secondary 3 cohort, upper secondary students can offer G1, G2 and G3 Computing as an elective subject based on their strengths and interests. MOE has no plans to introduce Computing as a standalone subject before upper secondary level.
Students from over 110 secondary schools offer G1, G2 or G3 Computing. These include students from over 40 schools who offer G3 Computing at four centres. Collectively, they make up about 13% of the Secondary 3 cohort.
There are dedicated Computing curriculum officers and a senior specialist in MOE, as well as Senior Teachers and Lead Teachers for Computing.