No more T-scores at PSLE: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — Instead of the familiar T-scores, the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results will be awarded in wider grade bands like at the O- and A-Level examinations for future cohorts, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally.

The Government is looking to award PSLE results differently, to give space to educate and develop students more holistically, said Mr Lee.

Adding that this change will not be applicable immediately and “will take several years”, he said: “(This is to) reduce excessive competition to chase that last point – an A* is still an A*”, whether the student score 91 marks or 99 marks.

The PSLE is “one of the most important examinations”, and has also resulted in “tremendous stress” for both students and their families, Mr Lee said. “The whole family takes the examination.”

Having undergone the PSLE himself in 1963, Mr Lee said that PSLE scores then were confidential and students were only told if they had passed or failed, quipping that even until today he does not know what his PSLE score is. Today, parents ask one another – what is your child’s T-score?, he said.

Pointing out that one cannot tell whether a child who scores one more point at the PSLE than another child will grow up to be more successful, Mr Lee said the decision on secondary postings should not be based on such “fine distinctions”.

At the secondary school level, there will also be more flexibility for students to “tailor the education of their students to their abilities and development”. Secondary One students from all streams will be allowed to take a subject at a higher level if they have done well at that subject at the PSLE. This will allow them to learn subjects at a pace appropriate to them, Mr Lee said.

“This is one step in the direction to making our system more open, more flexible,” he said.