More than 700 Normal stream students given more flexibility in learning

SINGAPORE — At least half of the Secondary 1 Normal (Technical) and (Academic) cohort in 12 pilot secondary schools will be allowed to study subjects they are strong in at higher levels, under an initiative launched by the Ministry of Education (MOE) this year.

In response to media queries, an MOE spokesperson said more than 400 (50 per cent) Secondary 1 pupils in the Normal (Academic) stream in the pilot schools will be allowed to study at least one subject at the Express level. And more than 300 (70 per cent) of those enrolled in the Normal (Technical) course will be allowed to study at least one subject at the higher Normal (Academic) or Express level. Students under this initiative can take up to three subjects at a higher level. Whether they will be allowed to do so depends on their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results.

To qualify, a student, whether in the Normal (Technical) or (Academic) stream, must score at least an A in their PSLE in order to study English, Mathematics, Science and Mother Tongue at the Express Level. Students in the Normal (Technical) course who scored a B, C or 1 in a Foundation subject will be able to take a subject at the Normal (Academic) level.

The initiative was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally last year and is aimed at increasing flexibility in schools to cater to the strengths of students in different subjects. Educators and parents have welcomed the move, which was seen as an opportunity for students of different streams to study the same subjects together.

At Jurong Secondary School, for instance, Normal stream students who qualify for this scheme study English with their Express stream peers. The classroom mix allows both student groups to interact and provides pupils “with the motivation to work towards the standards required of the subject”, said its Principal Ruby Khoo.

In cases where there are more than enough students studying a higher level subject, a whole new class is created for them so that the students can be given individual attention. This was the case at CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent, said Principal Pauline Wong, which set up a new class for 21 Normal (Technical) students who opted to study English at the Normal (Academic) level.

At Ang Mo Kio Secondary School, more teachers have been assigned with providing support to students taking higher-level subjects. The school will also be sending its teachers for further training to help them manage a mixed-ability class, said Principal Abdul Mannan.

In such mixed-ability classes, there is also the need to bridge learning gaps between students of different streams with different strengths.

To compensate for this, Jurong Secondary math teacher Cindy Wong conducts remedial lessons and regularly takes stock of her students’ progress through assignments.

English teacher Sreenivasan Jayandi, who is also from Jurong Secondary, said she will be teaching at a slower pace in the initial months before she speeds things up.

Students interviewed said the flexibility offered by the initiative would allow them to hone their strengths in their favourite subjects. The opportunity, they said, also motivates them to study harder so that they can be transferred to study at a higher level.

Ms Natalie Yun, who is a Normal (Technical) student at CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent, is one of those who qualified to study three subjects at a higher level. However, the 13-year-old said she chose to take only one subject, English, at the Normal (Academic) level for now, in order to stretch her abilities first before she attempts the same with another two subjects.

As for Normal (Academic) pupil Sabrina Akbar, studying in an Express class has been a little intimidating and the Jurong Secondary School student said she is still getting used to the new arrangement.

“But there are also more conversation topics during class and that would help in improving my English abilities,” she said.