Quotas for Admission of Students from Different Performance Bans to Reduce Monopoly of Elite Schools
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Gan Thiam Poh’s proposal to introduce secondary school admission quotas for various performance bands to foster inclusivity and reduce the dominance of elite schools. Minister for Education (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng responded that most schools already admit a spectrum of students from different streams to serve diverse learning needs effectively. He explained that a varied landscape, including specialised and Integrated Programme schools, provides necessary customized curricula rather than requiring identical student profiles across all institutions. The Minister highlighted that Character and Citizenship Education remains a common core for all students, ensuring a strong emphasis on shared values regardless of the school. He concluded that social interaction and inclusivity are primarily achieved through co-curricular activities and Values In Action experiences that bring students from diverse backgrounds together.
Transcript
60 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Education (Schools) whether the Ministry will consider introducing quotas for students in the top, middle and bottom performance bands for admission into Secondary 1 so as to create a more inclusive environment for students and reduce the monopoly of elite schools.
Mr Ng Chee Meng: Most secondary schools already take in a full spectrum of Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) students. This approach is appropriate and serves the students’ learning needs.
We do not believe that schools need to be identical in student profiles to be inclusive. A diverse school landscape allows for variety in school types and educational provisions, to match different student needs.
For instance, some Normal (Technical) students benefit from a more customised curriculum and pedagogy, as well as additional socio-emotional learning support through whole-school activities. This is why we set up the specialised schools Crest and Spectra, which also have facilities customised for their unique curriculum and pedagogy.
We also have Specialised Independent Schools, which cater to students with talents and strong interests in specific fields, such as the arts and sports. Integrated Programme schools provide six-year programmes to cater to academically strong students who can benefit from more flexibility in pursuing broader learning experiences.
What is common for all students, regardless which school they attend, is our strong emphasis on values and Character and Citizenship Education. All schools provide their students with ample opportunities to interact and make friends with peers from diverse backgrounds, for example, through co-curricular activities and Values In Action learning experiences. This remains core to our education mission, as we aim to nurture our students to be good citizens who respect others, and build an inclusive community and nation.